General Motors’ GM Defense division has entered an agreement with Lockheed Martin to look into ways to combine “Lockheed Martin’s defense production expertise with General Motors’ advanced industrial capabilities in high-rate commercial manufacturing and engineering.”
No specific projects were announced, but Lockheed Martin and its subsidiaries produce a wide array of land, air and sea vehicles along with myriad weapons platforms. Several incorporate both, like the wheeled M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
“The collaboration reflects growing demand for greater production capacity, supply chain resilience and manufacturing agility across the defense sector,” GM’s said in announcing the partnership “By combining commercial and defense expertise, the companies aim to identify opportunities that can accelerate production timelines while maintaining the quality, performance and reliability standards required for mission-critical systems.”
“Working together, GM Defense and Lockheed will further strengthen American manufacturing and national defense by driving greater speed, efficiency, and innovation in the aerospace and defense sectors,” Steve duMont, president of GM Defense, said in a news release. “Over the coming weeks, we will be working to identify initial projects to pursue together.”
GM Defense currently supplies the Department of War with an Infantry Squad Vehicle that was based on the factory Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 to reduce costs and an armored version of the Chevrolet Suburban that is used by the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.
Ford has also recently had discussions with the Department of War about expanding into military projects.
