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Hegseth Ends ‘Arsenal of Freedom’ Tour in Arkansas, Presses Faster Weapons Output

L3Harris detailed a 110-acre propulsion expansion targeting a sixfold increase in large solid rocket motor capacity.

Overview

  • On Feb. 27 in Camden, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed about 1,500 L3Harris employees as the tour’s first phase concluded with visits to L3Harris and General Dynamics facilities.
  • Hegseth urged industry to “build more and build faster” and vowed to cut Pentagon bureaucracy to speed delivery of missiles, interceptors and hypersonic systems.
  • L3Harris said its Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities will add more than 20 buildings across 110 acres to support medium and large motors and raise large-motor output sixfold.
  • The company described Camden as one of the nation’s largest solid rocket motor centers producing thousands of motors annually and said it intends to pursue an IPO of the rocket-motor business in the second half of 2026.
  • Hegseth administered enlistment oaths to 40 recruits in Arkansas, bringing tour-ceremony enlistees to more than 260, and his remarks referenced adversaries including Iran as some outlets highlighted rising regional tensions.