LM begins PAC-3 facility expansion

CAMDEN, Ark., May 11 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin announced it has broken ground for an expansion of its Arkansas-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile-production facilities.

U.S. company Lockheed Martin said the 71,000-square-foot expansion is a move to address the evolving needs of the defense community for PAC-3 missile production.

According to a news release, the expansion to Lockheed Martin's Camden, Ark., facility, which also produces the Multiple Launch Rocket System launcher and other munitions, is expected to be completed in early 2010.

"After a thorough examination of our current PAC-3 production complex, Lockheed Martin determined that the addition of the new PAC-3 (All Up Round II) building is vital to maintaining the high levels of quality and capability our customers demand," Glenn David Woods, site director of Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control's Camden Operations, said in a statement.