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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Lockheed Martin Opens Palmdale, California, Advanced Manufacturing Complex

08/11/2021
Lockheed Martin has constructed an advanced manufacturing facility at its campus in Palmdale, California. The location will serve as headquarters to its famed, once super-secret, Skunk Works jet aircraft development unit. The $400 million project is the cornerstone in investments being made across the campus.

The much more fragrant 215,000 square foot intelligent, flexible factory has digital foundations to incorporate smart manufacturing components, embrace the Internet of Things and deliver cutting edge solutions rapidly and affordably to support the United States and its allies. This is one of four transformational manufacturing facilities Lockheed Martin is opening in the U.S. this year.

"For more than 100 years, Lockheed Martin has been proud to call California home," said Jeff Babione, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "Our partnership with the state has helped us remain competitive and has positioned us for long-term growth. The technology in our new Palmdale facility lets us go beyond manufacturing optimization to the next digital revolution, driving innovation and preserving California's leadership in the aerospace industry."

According to company officials, this new building incorporates all three of Lockheed Martin's advanced production priorities: an intelligent factory framework; a technology enabled advanced manufacturing environment; and a flexible factory construct to support customer priorities with speed and agility while bolstering manufacturing capability in the United States.

Lockheed Martin noted its Skunk Works is responsible for many aerospace firsts, including; the United States' first jet fighter (P-80), the world's first stealth fighter (F-117) and the world's first 5th generation fighter (F-22).

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