Pentagon Quietly Expands Hellfire, JAGM Manufacturing Pipeline as Demand Outpaces Supply

The United States is preparing to significantly expand production of its JAGM and Hellfire precision-guided missiles amid rising operational demand and a surge of foreign military orders, Defence Blog reported on November 27.

According to a new announcement from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the Pentagon is now searching for additional suppliers of components and materials used in the manufacturing and sustainment of AGM-179 JAGM and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, both produced by Lockheed Martin.

The document outlines the first steps toward widening the supply chain, signaling that existing contractors may no longer be able to meet demand on their own.

DLA is seeking qualified firms “to procure missile spare parts for inclusion into the Lockheed Martin Supplier Capability Contract,” a framework used to support the US Army’s aviation and missile life-cycle management programs. Prospective suppliers must demonstrate full production competency and reliable supply-chain infrastructure to be considered.

Industry analysts told Defence Blog that the effort reflects the growing strategic importance of precision-guided munitions across US operations—particularly missiles like Hellfire and JAGM, which arm a wide range of helicopters and UAVs.

The Pentagon’s push to expand production comes as global demand continues to spike. In August 2025, Lockheed Martin announced $720 million in new JAGM and Hellfire orders from US forces and international partners.

The AGM-114 Hellfire is a laser-guided air-to-ground missile with a strike range of up to 8 kilometers. Originally built as an anti-tank weapon, it has since been adapted for use against a wide variety of battlefield targets and is fielded by militaries around the world.

The AGM-179A JAGM, which entered US service in 2022, is the newest precision missile intended to replace both the Hellfire and the Maverick. Despite its upgraded guidance and targeting system, it retains significant commonality with the Hellfire—most notably the same propulsion unit.

As the Pentagon works to scale production, defense officials say the expansion is designed to support both US stockpile requirements and the growing number of allied militaries relying on these weapons.

Earlier, reports emerged that Boeing was expanding its missile-defense production base as orders surged across Europe, as the company has opened a new 40,000-square-foot facility dedicated to building Patriot missile seekers—the precision Ka-band radar units that enable the PAC-3 interceptor’s “hit-to-kill” accuracy—in an effort to triple output over the next several years.

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