Leidos is preparing to expand production of thousands of cruise missiles by coordinating suppliers across 14 US states, supporting the Pentagon’s efforts to increase long-range strike capacity. The company recently brought together missile-component suppliers at its headquarters to coordinate manufacturing capacity, technical requirements, production timelines and delivery schedules for its Low-Cost Containerized Missile (LCCM) and AGM-190A Havoc Spear. The initiative supports a May 13 framework agreement with the Department of Defense for an initial order of 3,000 LCCM weapons. Leidos is also preparing to increase Havoc Spear production, with initial deliveries to Air Force Special Operations Command already underway. Manufacturing activities will be concentrated in Huntsville, Alabama, and McEwen, Tennessee. The first LCCM missiles are expected to be delivered in 2027 for testing and evaluation, followed by planned full-rate production in 2028 and 2029. The expansion comes as the US seeks to increase production of several long-range cruise missile systems. In August, RTX’s Raytheon received a seven-year, $22.9-billion contract to accelerate Tomahawk production for the US Navy, following framework agreements aimed at raising annual output to more than 1,000 missiles. The Air Force is also planning to procure up to 16,450 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles over the coming years, with Lockheed Martin producing both systems. Separately, the Pentagon announced framework agreements in July with Anduril, CoAspire and Zone 5 Technologies to advance affordable air-launched cruise missiles under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles programme.
