Boeing’s Huntsville-based Missile and Weapon Systems division is booming

The Boeing Company’s Huntsville-based Missile and Weapon Systems division continues to be a significant driver of economic activity for Alabama.

In the past year alone, the Rocket City division was awarded nearly $1 billion to develop a next-generation technology for the U.S. Army’s Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile system.

Boeing, through recent contracts totaling $974 million, has been tasked with developing a next-generation seeker for the PAC-3 Missile system, as well as continuing and expanding production on current generations of the PAC-3 seeker. The company’s work on this program is managed in Huntsville as a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin.

The seeker provides guidance data to the PAC-3 Missile system, which has protected warfighters around the world from tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hostile aircraft for nearly two decades.

“Boeing is proud to continue its 20-year history of delivering seekers in support of increasing and evolving air and missile defense needs,” stated Robert Green, director of Boeing Integrated Air and Missile Defense. “We remain committed to ensuring that the servicewomen and men who rely on the PAC-3 have ready and reliable protection today – and modernized, next-generation capabilities that can outpace, out-innovate, deter and defeat emerging threats of tomorrow.”

Since 2000, Boeing has produced more than 4,000 PAC-3 Missile seekers and recently set a new 12-month program production record in support of expanding air and missile defense requirements for the United States, its allies and international partners worldwide – despite working amid physical distancing and other COVID-related health and safety measures.

Boeing employs more than 3,000 people in Huntsville, supporting the nation’s defense and space capabilities. As of 2018, the company generated an estimated $2.3 billion of economic activity in the state annually. The company spent $606 million with nearly 200 suppliers, supporting about 18,000 direct and indirect jobs as of the latest available data.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn