L3Harris Expands Indiana Facility to Support America’s Golden Dome

Rhea-AI Summary

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has completed a $125 million expansion of its space manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The expanded 95,000-square-foot facility will support engineering, integration, testing and program management for missile defense programs.

The facility enhancement aims to support the Department of Defense's requirements for on-orbit technology, with capacity to produce 48 payloads annually. L3Harris currently has 5 satellites in orbit and 34 satellites in development for the Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer and the Missile Defense Agency's Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program.

The expansion will also support increased satellite production capacity for civil weather programs globally, with completion targeted for the latter half of the presidential term.

Positive

• Major facility expansion with $125 million investment shows commitment to growth
• Significant production capacity of 48 payloads annually
• Strong defense contract pipeline with 34 satellites in development
• Diversified revenue streams including civil weather programs

Negative

• Substantial capital expenditure may impact short-term financial metrics
• Heavy dependence on government contracts and political factors

Insights

Defense Industry Analyst

L3Harris's $125 million facility expansion in Fort Wayne represents a strategic move to strengthen its position in the high-priority missile defense sector. This investment increases the company's production capacity to 48 satellite payloads annually, significantly scaling their ability to fulfill Department of Defense contracts. The timing aligns with increased federal emphasis on space-based missile defense capabilities.

The company's current portfolio of 5 satellites in orbit and 34 in production demonstrates existing momentum and contract backlog with the Space Development Agency and Missile Defense Agency. This expansion appears to be supporting specific programs including the Tracking Layer and Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor initiatives - both crucial components of modern missile defense architecture.

While the $125 million capital expenditure impacts short-term cash flow, it's relatively modest compared to L3Harris's $41.7 billion market capitalization. The diversification into civil weather programs alongside defense contracts provides additional revenue stability. For long-term investors, this expansion signals management's confidence in future defense spending priorities and represents measured, focused growth in a core competency rather than a transformative business shift.

Space Systems Engineer

The expanded 95,000-square-foot facility significantly enhances L3Harris's space manufacturing capabilities at a critical technology inflection point. The increased capacity to produce sophisticated satellite payloads addresses a critical bottleneck in missile defense systems - the ability to rapidly deploy space-based sensors that can track hypersonic and ballistic threats.

From a technical perspective, the reference to building a "Golden Dome" indicates developing a comprehensive space-based sensor network capable of continuous monitoring of potential threats. The integration of engineering, testing, and program management in a single expanded facility should streamline production processes and accelerate delivery timelines - a crucial factor given the urgent nature of these defense requirements.

The mention of civil weather programs suggests L3Harris is leveraging common technological platforms across both defense and civilian applications - a smart engineering approach that amortizes R&D costs across multiple customer segments. This dual-use strategy often results in more robust systems as civilian weather satellites and defense tracking satellites share similar requirements for thermal management, radiation hardening, and sensor technology, just with different optimization parameters.

FORT WAYNE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has completed a $125 million expansion at its space manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne to support the Department of Defense’s urgent need for on-orbit technology to defend the homeland by building a “Golden Dome” around the United States. L3Harris’ investment in facilities in Indiana will enable these strategic capabilities to be delivered in the later half of the President’s second term.

Members of Indiana’s congressional delegation participated in the dedication ceremony today for the expanded 95,000-square-foot facility, which will support engineering, integration, testing and program management for L3Harris’ missile defense programs.

“The new investments and construction by L3Harris in Fort Wayne are a crucial step in making the defensive capabilities of our country ‘Made in America’ again,” said Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN). “The incoming jobs to our community will boost our local economy to the tune of millions of dollars. More companies should follow L3Harris’ lead in returning their operations to our shores and uplifting the communities that made them what they are today.”

“Accelerating the nation’s missile warning and defense capabilities is a priority for national security as we move forward with supporting President Trump’s vision for America’s Golden Dome,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “With capacity to produce 48 payloads per year, we continue to deliver at the scale and speed our defense customers require and are successfully poised to protect against threats to our homeland.”

L3Harris has five satellites on orbit and 34 satellites in work for the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer and the Missile Defense Agency's Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program. The company also provides mission-critical technology for other space-based defense initiatives. In addition, this facility expansion supports increased satellite production capacity for civil weather programs for customers around the globe.

About L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security. Visit L3Harris.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about technology capabilities are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. L3Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250416496679/en/

Media Contacts:

Elizabeth Neilson

Space and Airborne Systems

Elizabeth.Neilson@L3Harris.com

206-384-3349

Sara Banda

Corporate

Media@L3Harris.com

321-306-8927

Source: L3Harris Technologies

FAQ

What is the value and size of L3Harris' (LHX) Fort Wayne facility expansion?

L3Harris invested $125 million in a 95,000-square-foot facility expansion in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

How many satellites does L3Harris (LHX) currently have in orbit and in development?

L3Harris has 5 satellites currently in orbit and 34 satellites in development.

What is the annual payload production capacity at L3Harris' (LHX) expanded facility?

The expanded facility has the capacity to produce 48 payloads per year.

Which specific defense programs will L3Harris' (LHX) expanded facility support?

The facility supports the Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer and the Missile Defense Agency's Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program.