General Motors is expanding into defense, supplying parts for Lockheed Martin’s Patriot missile system as the US rebuilds depleted weapons stockpiles.
Lockheed said Thursday that GM delivered its first batch of missile-housing components in August for PAC-3 MSE interceptors.
GM hopes to expand its military business and is discussing parts for other missile programs with Lockheed, according to people familiar with the talks. CEO Mary Barra said this summer that the automaker expects its defense unit to generate about $700 million in revenue this year.
The news follows reports that the war with Iran has driven US Patriot missile stockpiles down to “extremely low” levels.
The Pentagon has urged manufacturers outside the traditional defense industry to help increase weapons production. Lockheed must more than triple Patriot output to over 2,000 missiles annually by the end of 2030. The company’s CEO Jim Taiclet said supply-chain constraints remain its biggest production challenge.
GM reportedly produced the components in three weeks.