Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Maryland, has opened its US$50 million R&D II facility in Orlando, Florida, covering an area of 255,000sqft.
The aerospace, defence, security and advanced technologies company officially broke ground on the six-story building on 14 February, 2018, with the goal of completing it in a year. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place almost exactly a year later on 13 February.
Operations at the new facility in Orlando include both Missiles and Fire Control and Rotary and Mission Systems divisions.
Since 2017, the company has created more than 1,000 jobs to support the facility and others in Orlando, with hundreds more expected over the next three to five years.
Across Florida, the company operations support an estimated 40,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, with work spanning 1,300 Florida businesses and suppliers.
Employees in the building will support engineering, programme management and business operations for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control's Orlando site.
Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer, added: "Orlando is known for its skilled workforce and strong economic climate, thanks in large part to the foundation laid by Lockheed Martin's location to Central Florida more than 60 years ago.”
Frank St John, Lockheed Martin Executive VP, said: "We will continue our strong partnerships with local and state governments, community partners and area universities to grow our business, our workforce and the critical capabilities we provide to customers worldwide."