Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Northrop Grumman to quadruple missile component production in San Diego

nbcsandiego.com · 23h · first reportShare

Northrop Grumman is preparing to quadruple production of key components for the THAAD missile defense system at its Miramar facility in San Diego as part of a $3 billion agreement with the Department of Defense. The landmark deal, announced Aug. 3 by Northrop Grumman and the Defense Department , involves Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, and is intended to accelerate missile interceptor production. Northrop Grumman plans to invest millions of dollars in its San Diego facility to reach the increased production rate. “THAAD is terminal high altitude area defense,” Dan Federico, who has worked at Northrop Grumman’s San Diego site for nearly 30 years, said. “So, THAAD interceptors are a defensive missile that basically intercepts incoming ballistic missiles. Kind of like a bullet hitting a bullet at thousands of miles per hour.” Northrop Grumman’s San Diego operation makes structural components that protect sensitive electronics inside the missile as well as thermal heatshields that pr