Lockheed dedicates new production site

 Camden News 5-27-2010  

    Local and area officials and invited guests joined Gov. Mike Beebe along with Lockheed Martin officials Wednesday for the dedication of new production site for the Patriot Advance Capability 3 Missile - better known as PAC-3, at the defense contractor’s Highland Industrial Park site.
   "The dedication of the new building marks our continued investment in the state of Arkansas and Lockheed Martin’s commitment to developing and manufacturing the PAC-3 Missile here in Camden," Glenn David Woods, site director of Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control’s Camden Operations, said in a news release.
   "Our Camden employees are proud to play a pivotal role in producing the world’s most advanced terminal air defense missile that serves our warfighters in their defining moments." The company anticipates that the new facility will allow for continued production expansion and modest employment growth over the next several years.
   The new 72,000 square-foot PAC-3 building is located on Camden Operations’ campus adjacent to the existing 52,000-square-foot PAC-3 facility.
   "This expansion reaffirms our strong commitment to the U.S. Army and the Camden community," said Richard McDaniel, director of the PAC-3 programs for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Through this expansion, we will be able to maintain the high level of quality and performance that our customers demand and accommodate future program growth."
   "We are extremely pleased to continue to grow our service to the U.S. Army and the Camden community," said Richard McDaniel, director of the PAC-3 Programs for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The expansion of the PAC-3 Missile production complex strengthens our commitment and ability to meet the customer’s expanding needs, and better positions us to support anticipated growth in the near future."
   In April the company marked its production of the 10,000th rocket for the Guided Multi Launch Rocket System.
   The local facility produces the Multiple Launch Rocket System launcher and a family of munitions, which includes the Guided MLRS Unitary Rocket, and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher, which fires MLRS rockets and Army Tactical Missile System missiles.
   Camden is the home of the PAC-3 Missile, which has been in production since late 2001.