Defense contractor will expand rocket motor production operations at existing facility in central Virginia.
By David Holloway | The Commonwealth Wire
L3Harris Technologies announced plans Tuesday for a $1.27 billion expansion of its rocket motor production operations in Orange County, creating 350 new jobs in the defense manufacturing sector.
The Melbourne, Florida-based aerospace and defense contractor will expand its existing facility in Orange County, located in central Virginia between Richmond and Charlottesville. The investment represents one of the largest manufacturing expansions announced in Virginia in recent years.
The expansion focuses on rocket motor production capabilities, supporting both government and commercial aerospace programs. L3Harris manufactures solid rocket motors and propulsion systems used in military missiles, space launch vehicles, and other defense applications.
“This significant investment in Orange County demonstrates L3Harris’s commitment to expanding critical defense manufacturing capabilities in Virginia,” said a company spokesperson. The expansion will support growing demand for rocket motor systems across multiple defense and aerospace programs.
The 350 new positions will include manufacturing technicians, engineers, quality assurance specialists, and support staff. L3Harris plans to recruit locally and from across Virginia’s defense corridor, which stretches from Northern Virginia through Hampton Roads.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office indicated the state provided economic incentives to secure the expansion, though specific details were not immediately available. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership typically offers grants, tax credits, and workforce development assistance for major manufacturing projects.
Orange County, with a population of approximately 37,000, has historically relied on agriculture and small manufacturing. The L3Harris expansion represents a major economic development win for the rural county, which sits along Interstate 95 between Richmond and Washington, D.C.
The project builds on Virginia’s growing defense manufacturing sector. The commonwealth hosts major defense contractors including General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Northrop Grumman, primarily concentrated in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.
L3Harris operates multiple facilities across Virginia, including locations in Fairfax County and Virginia Beach. The company formed in 2019 through the merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation, creating one of the nation’s largest defense contractors.
Construction on the Orange County expansion is expected to begin in early 2024, with the first new jobs coming online by late 2024. The company projects full operational capacity by 2026.
The announcement comes as defense contractors nationwide expand production capabilities amid increased federal spending on missile defense systems and space programs. Virginia’s central location, skilled workforce, and existing defense infrastructure continue attracting major investments in the sector.
Key Facts
- L3Harris will invest $1.27 billion to expand rocket motor production in Orange County
- The expansion will create 350 new manufacturing and engineering jobs
- Construction begins early 2024 with full operations expected by 2026
- Orange County is located in central Virginia between Richmond and Charlottesville
- The project represents one of Virginia’s largest recent manufacturing investments
