Raytheon has opened its new all-up-round Standard Missile production facility in Huntsville, Ala. At the cutting-edge factory, workers will complete final assembly and testing of the company's Standard Missile-3 and SM-6 interceptors.

Raytheon executives from around the country joined government customers and elected leaders at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new 70,000 square-foot facility located on the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal.

"This factory is the most advanced missile integration facility in the world, enabling Raytheon to provide our domestic and international customers with the most effective, reliable and affordable products possible," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president.

"The missiles assembled in this factory will play a critical role in protecting our homeland and defending our allies around the globe."

The new facility features the latest tools and processes for missile integration and testing. Factory technicians will use special transport vehicles for moving missiles inside the factory.

The laser-guided vehicles handle all hardware transfers necessary, allowing technicians to concentrate on other aspects of production. Powered by a lithium battery, the transporters use their own internal positioning system for safely and efficiently maneuvering through the facility to the workstations.

"This missile integration facility will create new jobs for Alabama's workers to help bolster our nation's defense," said Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama. "The facility will further enhance Huntsville's indispensable role in our nation's security and the region's economy."

The first SM-6 missiles are scheduled to be delivered from the new facility to the customer in February 2013; initial SM-3 rounds are scheduled to be delivered the following quarter.