COURTLAND, Ala. (WHNT) — A major American defense contractor is expanding its operations in North Alabama by bringing another large facility to a small town in Lawrence County.
Lockheed Martin told News 19 that a new 88,000 square-foot Missile Assembly Building is currently under construction in Courtland. The new building is expected to open early 2026, the company said.
Lockheed Martin said the spacious building will help advance defense systems in Courtland.
The building is being built for the Next Generation Interceptor program. Lockheed Martin’s website says with the NGI program, the mission is to “develop, produce and deliver a modern, never-fail weapon against increasing and evolving ballistic missile threats from rogue nations. NGI is a first line of defense, tip-to-tail interceptor within the Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.”
The company said Courtland currently supports critical defense programs for the Army, Navy and Missile Defense Agency. Over 400 employees currently work at the Courtland site, and Lockheed said it expects an increase in workforce in 2026 following the opening of the new building.
“We’re not just working on defense programs. We’re defining what the future of missile defense looks like,” Lockheed Martin said.
The company has a long-standing relationship with the town of Courtland. In 2019, the company announced that it would have a Hypersonic Strike Work manufacturing plant with two new buildings. The Aerospace and Defense company broke ground at the site in September 2019 and it was officially opened on October 4, 2021.
The milestone of opening this building established northern Alabama as the “Home of Hypersonic Strike Production,” Lockheed Martin said.
In 2023, Lockheed Martin developed a partnership with the town of Courtland and helped convert its part-time fire department into a full-time, 24/7 emergency service with new equipment and staffing.
Through a partnership with the State of Alabama, Lockheed Martin said it received a $1.8 million infrastructure grant to improve roads around the 88,000 square-foot facility.
“Lockheed Martin is building advanced defense systems in Courtland, but more importantly, we are investing in the future of the community. From workforce development and infrastructure upgrades to enhanced emergency services, our commitment extends beyond our facility. Real progress happens when industry and community grow together, and we are proud to help build a stronger, more resilient future for Courtland and the surrounding region.”
Sarah ReevesVice President, Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) Program
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