Key Takeaways
• L3Harris Technologies opens AMF-South, a 379,000-square-foot facility dedicated to solid rocket motor (SRM) components in Huntsville, Alabama.
• The site will produce inert SRM components for programs like the Javelin and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System.
• $20 million invested in renovations; additional funding from a Defense Production Act Title III agreement.
• More than 100 new jobs expected over the next few years.
• The facility supports growing demand tied to national defense initiatives, including missile defense systems like the proposed Golden Dome.
Major Step Forward in U.S. Missile Defense Manufacturing
L3Harris Technologies marked a major milestone in its expansion of defense production with the unveiling of its new Advanced Manufacturing Facility – South (AMF-South) in Huntsville, Alabama. At 379,000 square feet, the facility will manufacture critical inert components for solid rocket motors, used in high-priority U.S. defense systems.
This latest addition complements the company’s existing AMF-North site in the area and underscores Huntsville’s role as a hub for aerospace and defense innovation.
Facility Overview: Equipment, Capabilities, and Workforce Growth
The AMF-South site is outfitted with high-precision equipment including autoclaves, composite machining systems, hydraulic presses, and tape-wrap lines. These systems will be used to build key inert SRM parts such as aft closures, nozzles, exit cones, and cases. The setup is designed for scalability and flexibility to meet shifting demand.
L3Harris has already hired approximately 40 employees for the new site, with plans to bring on over 100 more in the near future. Across its Huntsville operations, the company currently employs about 700 people.
A $20 million internal investment supported the site’s buildout. Additional tooling and equipment purchases were backed by a cooperative agreement through the Department of Defense under the Title III Defense Production Act, emphasizing the federal government’s interest in ramping up domestic missile component production.
Programs Supported and Strategic Defense Goals
AMF-South is already supporting key programs, including the Standard Missile, the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, and the Javelin. These systems are central to U.S. and allied defense strategies, particularly as threats evolve and require layered missile defense capabilities.
The components built at this facility are vital to tactical and medium-range propulsion systems. These include those used in the Golden Dome initiative, an effort to develop a multi-layer missile interception system capable of neutralizing threats before they reach U.S. soil.
Local and State Support for Defense Manufacturing
The launch drew praise from state officials and local leaders. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey highlighted the facility’s importance to the state’s defense economy, noting the quality jobs it brings to North Alabama. Senator Tommy Tuberville called the project “a testament to innovation and progress to support our warfighters,” while Representative Dale Strong expressed pride in the region’s growing role in national defense.
Strengthening Huntsville’s Defense Manufacturing Ecosystem
The addition of AMF-South further cements Huntsville’s position as a key defense manufacturing hub. With growing demand from Washington and a national defense budget exceeding $1 trillion, the facility gives L3Harris the infrastructure to scale quickly in support of future missile systems and national security priorities.
With both AMF-South and AMF-North now operating in the area, L3Harris is positioned to deliver high-precision components at scale, and to grow its skilled workforce in the years ahead.
