Lockheed Martin and Albany Engineered Composites partner for hypersonic weapon production

Lockheed Martin and Albany Engineered Composites, a segment of Albany International Corp., have entered a strategic partnership to accelerate the production of hypersonic weapons for the United States. The collaboration aims to transition hypersonic technologies from the experimental prototype phase to large-scale, high-rate production to meet Department of Defense requirements.

The partnership combines Lockheed Martin’s expertise in systems integration—including propulsion, warheads, and guidance software—with Albany Engineered Composites’ specialized manufacturing of lightweight, high-strength composite materials. These advanced materials are critical for ensuring that systems traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 can withstand the extreme thermal and physical stresses encountered during flight.

This initiative is intended to bolster the defense industrial base and reduce the time between successful testing and battlefield deployment. The move is driven by the need to maintain technological superiority and respond to geopolitical pressures, specifically regarding the deployment of hypersonic capabilities by China.