BETHESDA, Md. — Lockheed Martin and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC), a segment of Albany International Corp., have signed a teaming agreement aimed at increasing the production of hypersonic weapons for the U.S. Department of War.
The agreement focuses on addressing the manufacturing challenges involved in moving hypersonic systems from prototype and test quantities to higher-volume production. The companies plan to jointly pursue future full-rate production contracts as hypersonic weapon designs move toward larger-scale manufacturing.
Hypersonic systems are designed to travel at speeds above Mach 5, or about 3,836 miles per hour (6,174 km/h). Their ability to operate at these speeds while maneuvering creates challenges for traditional missile-defense systems.
Focus on Advanced Composite Manufacturing
Lockheed Martin will contribute its experience in systems integration and engineering, while AEC will provide its expertise in advanced composite manufacturing.
AEC, based in Rochester, New Hampshire, specializes in lightweight, high-strength composite structures made from layered fibers. Its capabilities include 3D-woven composite aeroshells and thermal protection systems used for applications exposed to high temperatures and structural stresses.
The companies said the partnership is intended to address the manufacturing requirements that arise after a hypersonic system has completed its design and testing phases.
Johnathon Caldwell, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems, said the agreement combines Lockheed Martin’s systems integration and engineering experience with Albany’s composite production capabilities.
Chris Stone, president of Albany Engineered Composites, said large-scale manufacturing of advanced composite structures is an important part of developing hypersonic systems. He said the partnership combines Lockheed Martin’s architecture with Albany’s composite technologies and manufacturing capabilities.
The financial terms of the teaming agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement has a flexible structure with defined roles and cost responsibilities. According to the companies, this approach is intended to allow the partnership to adapt to changing program requirements and government priorities.
Push for Higher Production Rates
The agreement supports the Department of War’s broader Arsenal of Freedom initiative, which seeks to increase the speed and volume of weapons production and reduce the time between successful testing and availability of operational systems.
Lockheed Martin has also disclosed a multimillion-dollar investment in its Modular Prompt Distributed Strike system. The approach uses flight-tested hypersonic technologies and a modular architecture intended to reduce the engineering work required to integrate different payloads with existing hypersonic airframes.
The company said increased automation in assembly, integration and testing can reduce labor requirements and help shorten delivery timelines. The investment supports the Department of War’s Scaled Hypersonics Critical Technology Area.
Lockheed Martin is also continuing its work on the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program. During the company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Jim Taiclet reported technical and contractual progress following successful flight tests. The program has also received contract modifications valued at about $1.4 billion to support accelerated development.
Additional contract actions in 2026 have supported production of All-Up Rounds for Army requirements within the same program family.
AEC Role in Future Production
The companies have not identified the specific hypersonic programs that will receive production work under the new agreement once contracts are competed and awarded.
Aviation Week has reported that Albany will supply a 3D-woven composite aeroshell for Lockheed Martin’s Next Generation Glide Body.
The partnership comes as the United States continues efforts to expand its hypersonic weapons production capacity. The manufacturing challenge is not limited to developing the weapon itself; production of specialized structures and other components must also increase if larger inventories are required.
Chinese state media reported in early August 2026 that the DF-17 hypersonic missile had reached full combat capability and entered mass deployment. The reports included footage showing multiple launch vehicles in formation.
The Lockheed Martin-AEC agreement is intended to prepare the companies for higher-volume production opportunities as hypersonic programs progress from development and testing toward full-rate manufacturing.
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