The Department of War is accelerating a sweeping effort to expand U.S. weapons production, announcing new agreements aimed at putting the nation’s defense industry on what officials describe as a “wartime footing.”
The push comes under the direction of Pete Hegseth, as the Trump administration looks to rapidly scale production capacity amid ongoing military operations and rising global tensions.
At the center of the initiative is a major agreement with Lockheed Martin to speed up manufacturing of the Precision Strike Missile, a long-range weapon designed to hit targets deep inside enemy territory. The deal includes investments in factory upgrades, advanced tooling, and expanded testing capacity, with the potential for a multi-year contract lasting up to seven years.
Officials say the goal is simple, produce advanced weapons faster and in greater quantities to ensure U.S. forces maintain a decisive edge.
A second agreement with Honeywell Aerospace is expected to unlock roughly $500 million in private investment to expand production of critical components, including navigation systems, actuators, and electronic warfare technologies. The strategy is designed not just to boost output at major contractors, but to strengthen the entire supply chain by giving smaller suppliers the confidence to scale up operations.
In a third move, the Pentagon is working with BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin to dramatically increase production of a key component used in the THAAD missile defense system. The component, known as a seeker, allows interceptors to track and destroy incoming missiles traveling at extreme speeds.
The production surge follows an executive order from Donald Trump earlier this year that barred major defense contractors from stock buybacks and dividend payments until they meet higher production targets. The administration has argued that delays in weapons manufacturing pose a direct threat to national security.
Officials say the broader effort, described as building an “Arsenal of Freedom,” is meant to remove bottlenecks, accelerate procurement, and ensure the United States can outproduce any potential adversary.
With thousands of targets already struck in Iran and military demand continuing to rise, the Pentagon’s strategy signals a long-term shift, one that prioritizes speed, scale, and sustained industrial readiness for an era of high-intensity conflict.
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