US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited L3Harris Technologies’ solid rocket motor manufacturing site in Camden as part of his nationwide “Arsenal of Freedom” tour, which highlights the importance of domestic manufacturing capacity in strengthening the defence industrial base and supporting military readiness.
During the visit, Secretary Hegseth toured several production areas at the facility and met with employees who design and manufacture propulsion systems for major missile and defenceprogrammes. The Camden site employs around 1,500 people and produces solid rocket motors used in a wide range of U.S. and allied defence systems.
L3Harris is investing billions of dollars to expand and modernise its propulsion manufacturing operations across the United States. These investments include projects aimed at increasing production capacity to support current and future defence requirements.
Secretary Hegseth said the Camden workforce plays an important role in supporting national security by producing key systems used by the armed forces. He noted that strong industrial capacity is essential to ensure reliable supply of critical defence equipment.
Christopher Kubasik, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of L3Harris, said manufacturing capability is increasingly seen as a strategic asset. He added that the company’s investments in facilities, technology and workforce training are intended to improve production speed, reliability and safety while meeting rising demand.
During the visit, the Secretary spoke with teams working on propulsion systems for missile defenceprogrammes and reviewed construction progress on the Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities, a new campus designed to increase production of medium and large solid rocket motors. The 110-acre development will include more than 20 buildings and is expected to significantly expand manufacturing capacity through the use of automation and advanced production methods.
The Camden site, which spans about 2,000 acres, is one of the largest solid rocket motor manufacturing centres in the United States and has supported defence missions for more than four decades. L3Harris acquired the propulsion business in 2023 and has since expanded production to meet growing requirements.
L3Harris Technologies develops advanced defence and communications systems across space, air, land, sea and cyber domains. The company said continued investment in domestic manufacturing and workforce development will help strengthen supply chains and support long-term defence readiness.
