Mar 3, 2026 - Aerospace

Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas

Worth Sparkman

Seven people in business attire stand outdoors on grass near a sign reading "Arsenal of Freedom Building," with two cranes holding an American flag in the background under clear blue sky. — From left, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and L3Harris Technologies executives Christopher Kubasik, Ken Bedingfield and Scott Alexander at L3Harris' expansion site in Camden. Photo: Will Newton/Office of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrapped his nationwide "Arsenal of Freedom" tour Friday at L3Harris' rocket motor campus in south Arkansas.

Why it matters: Arkansas produces more than 115,000 solid rocket motors annually, per the Arkansas Advocate. Aerospace and defense were the state's top export sectors in 2024, worth more than $950 million, according to an Arkansas Economic Development Commission report.

Driving the news: L3Harris is investing $500 million to expand its Camden facility, adding 20 buildings, 110 acres and boosting large rocket motor production capacity sixfold.

State of play: Republicans Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman introduced Hegseth to a crowd of about 1,500 Friday morning.

Hegseth credited Arkansas-built motors with supporting a January military operation in Venezuela, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
The visit included a stop at General Dynamics' 155mm artillery plant and an enlistment ceremony for 40 Arkansas recruits — 20 for the Arkansas National Guard and 20 entering active service.
The Trump administration is pushing for a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2027.

Yes, but: Expanding munitions production comes even as defense spending faces scrutiny over contractor oversight. Hegseth criticized past industry practices like offshoring and stock buybacks, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

The bottom line: South Arkansas has become a key supplier to the U.S. defense industrial base.

Add Axios on Google

Defense Secretary Hegseth touts south Arkansas

More NW Arkansas stories