# Lockheed and Avio Expand Virginia Motor Production

Lockheed Martin and Avio USA signed a strategic cooperation agreement on October 13, 2026, for Avio USA to qualify and produce solid rocket motors for the Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). Production at Avio USA’s new Hurt, Virginia, facility depends on qualification; construction is expected to finish by the end of 2028, with manufacturing planned to begin in early 2029. The agreement could establish an additional U.S. source for these motors, but no contract value, contract number, or public solicitation has been identified.

- Suppliers may assess whether they can support the potential near-term demand for steel and long-lead production equipment identified in the reporting.
- For procurement planning, treat this as a developing supply-chain opportunity rather than an open solicitation; motor production is contingent on qualification and the facility schedule.
- The planned capacity could broaden the defense industrial base for ER GMLRS and PrSM motors, creating potential subcontracting opportunities as Avio USA builds out production.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 14, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Army (U.S. Army)

### Vendors
- Avio USA (Prospective solid rocket motor manufacturer, subject to qualification)
- Lockheed Martin (Missile producer and signatory to the production agreement)
- Avio (Parent company providing manufacturing expertise and training)

### Key Quotes
> We’ll be able to take the people that have that technical discipline and experience and train them to be solid rocket motor manufacturing experts, and what we’ll do is we will take advantage of our parent company in Italy to send them over to Italy for three to four months to train in an actual factory.
> — Jim Syring, CEO of Avio USA

> It gives us tremendous momentum as we continue construction, grow our U.S. workforce and prepare to begin manufacturing.
> — James Syring, CEO of Avio USA

### Sources
- [Avio USA to Qualify, Build Rocket Motors For Extended Range GMLRS, PrSM - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/avio-usa-to-qualify-build-rocket-motors-for-extended-range-gmlrs-prsm/business-financial) - Defense Daily
- [Avio, Lockheed sign agreement for solid rocket motor production - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/avio-lockheed-sign-agreement-for-solid-rocket-motor-production) - Breaking Defense
- [Lockheed, Avio Sign Solid Rocket Motor Production Agreement](https://www.executivebiz.com/articles/lockheed-avio-solid-rocket-motor-production-agreement) - ExecutiveBiz