Lockheed’s new defense hub to take missile sensors from sketch to test in months

Lockheed Martin has launched a new family of modular radio-frequency sensors, missile datalinks, and seeker technologies designed to help the United States and its allies respond faster to evolving battlefield threats. Announced on August 10 in Orlando, Florida, the Strigo family uses common hardware and software architectures that can be rapidly reconfigured for air defense, missile defense, and air-to-surface engagements. Lockheed has invested $250 million in a dedicated product center intended to move new technologies from initial concepts to tested systems in months rather than years. Modular missile sensor tech for multiple missions The Strigo portfolio is built around a common technical baseline, allowing Lockheed Martin to adapt individual solutions without developing every system from scratch. This approach could shorten integration timelines while reducing development, lifecycle, and long-term sustainment costs. Its technologies include RF sensors that detect and track targets, datalinks that allow missiles to receive updated information during flight, and seekers that guide weapons toward their targets. Because these components are modular, they can be tailored to different weapons and operational requirements. The architecture is intended to support a broad range of missions, including intercepting aircraft and missiles or striking targets on the ground. It could also allow existing munitions to receive upgraded sensing and communications capabilities as new threats emerge. Developing missile systems before formal demand Lockheed Martin established the dedicated product center less than two years ago to accelerate the journey from concept to operational capability. The facility functions as a storefront of ready and near-ready technologies that can be adapted to meet specific customer requirements. Instead of waiting for the US military to formalize a requirement, engineers at the center conduct proactive research and build hardware around anticipated battlefield needs. Lockheed said several concepts have already progressed from early design to successful testing. Technologies developed through the modular family have also informed aspects of the seeker package for the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2. The weapon is being developed to provide the US Army with a longer-range capability against moving maritime targets and other threats. “By putting proactive research and development at the forefront, the Strigo Product Center lets us test and deploy new solutions at unprecedented speed. That’s how we turn ‘what if’ into ‘what’s next’ faster than ever before,” said Stacy Kubicek, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Sensors and Global Sustainment. Preparing for rapidly evolving threats The $250 million investment reflects a wider defense-industry effort to increase missile production and accelerate the introduction of new capabilities. Conflicts are demonstrating how quickly electronic warfare, countermeasures, and target profiles can change, placing pressure on traditional development cycles. “Leveraging our deep expertise in advanced sensor and missile technologies, this long-term investment reshapes the way we develop and deliver next-generation, mission-ready capabilities, ensuring our warfighters have the solutions they need the moment threats evolve,” Kubicek added. Lockheed plans to continue investing in RF sensors, missile seekers and datalinks. The company says the technologies will support current efforts to accelerate munitions development while creating a foundation for future US military capabilities. Recommended ArticlesAtharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.