L3Harris Technologies is lighting the fuse on a major expansion in Virginia, breaking ground on five new solid rocket motor facilities designed to supercharge America’s defense propulsion capabilities. This latest development not only marks a leap forward in domestic rocket motor manufacturing, but also underscores the increasing urgency to revitalize the U.S. defense industrial base. At the heart of the project is a cutting-edge modular design, featuring robotic flex cells, automated casting systems, and improved production workflows—all part of a high-tech push to streamline and scale output for national defense programs.
Backed by a Defense Production Act Title III cooperative agreement, the expansion adds to L3Harris’ 256,000 square feet of existing manufacturing space. The Virginia site, already home to the company’s Center of Excellence for Propellant Research and Small to Medium-sized Solid Rocket Motor Production, will now include a new 12,000 square foot cast and assembly facility. With the manufacturing process now centralized, the distance motors must travel during production is reduced by 90%, dramatically increasing efficiency. Leaders from both the defense sector and Capitol Hill hailed the move as a strategic win for national security and local job growth—demonstrating how industrial modernization can serve both military readiness and economic vitality.
Contract Opportunities: Cognyte
In a major win for AI-driven security technology, Cognyte Software has secured a three-year subscription deal valued at over $10 million annually with a national security agency in the EMEA region. The agreement marks a deepening of an already established partnership and reinforces Cognyte’s growing reputation as a go-to provider of investigative analytics solutions for the global intelligence community.
The subscription model gives the agency access to Cognyte’s latest AI-powered capabilities, including a more expansive suite of tools and ongoing software upgrades. These enhancements are designed to equip the agency with the agility and innovation needed to stay ahead of rapidly evolving security threats. By leveraging AI to synthesize actionable intelligence from vast data sets, Cognyte’s platform empowers analysts to accelerate investigations, sharpen decision-making, and boost mission success. This deal highlights not just the demand for advanced analytics in national security, but also the broader shift toward recurring revenue models in defense tech—ensuring both technological relevance and fiscal predictability.
Key Employer in the Cleared Industry: Amentum
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Cleared Opportunities
Satellite communications leader Iridium Communications Inc. is scaling up in a big way, announcing a $13 million expansion of its global headquarters in Fairfax County, VA. The move will see Iridium grow into a 55,000-square-foot space—up from its current 35,000 square feet—supporting 117 new jobs and pushing its Virginia workforce close to 400. The expansion, set to be completed by March 2026 at 1676 International Drive in Tysons, highlights the company’s surging growth in satellite-based services, including GPS protection and direct-to-device connectivity for smartphones and consumer tech.
For Iridium, this isn’t just about more office space—it’s about future-proofing its role in the booming space economy. CEO Matt Desch praised Virginia’s business-friendly climate, proximity to D.C., and deep tech talent pool as key reasons for keeping their headquarters rooted in Fairfax County. Local and state leaders are equally enthusiastic. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration backed the project with state incentives, touting it as a milestone for the region’s expanding space and tech footprint. With over 25 years of experience connecting users in remote corners of the world, Iridium’s investment affirms Northern Virginia’s place on the map—not just as a tech hub, but as a launchpad for the next wave of global communications.
