Anduril Industries’ latest expansion near the Mississippi Solid Rocket Complex is drawing harsh criticism from community activists and arms control advocates who say the move accelerates a dangerous militarization of domestic industry.

Anduril—which recently acquired more than 125 acres on East McHenry Road after leasing the property from the Stone County Economic Development Partnership since 2020—is set to ramp up its production capacity from 600 to over 6,000 tactical solid rocket motors per year. The company is investing $75 million into the project, with additional financial backing from the state of Mississippi and the Department of Defense.

Critics contend that the facility’s upgrade isn’t simply an economic boost but a calculated step to exponentially increase the production of hypersonic rocket motors—technology intended for the U.S. Navy’s Standard Missile Program. “This is a clear case of prioritizing advanced military tech over the everyday safety and well-being of local communities,” one local resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Detractors argue that by channeling resources toward weapons of war, Anduril is deepening an arms race that could have dire regional and international consequences.

While Anduril touts promises of improved efficiency and national security benefits derived from an advanced single-piece flow manufacturing process, critics remain skeptical. “What might be portrayed as job creation and technological advancement is, in reality, a distraction from the environmental, social and ethical costs embedded in unchecked militarism,” said one arms control advocate. Community leaders have noted that despite the economic incentives, there has been little effort to engage local residents or address potential environmental hazards associated with scaling up the facility.

The rapid expansion, designed to produce hypersonic solid rocket motors capable of reaching speeds far beyond traditional systems, has alarmed groups that view the project as part of a broader trend of aggressive domestic arms development. They warn that these technologies, while lauded as breakthroughs in high-speed propulsion, also carry the weight of escalating geopolitical tensions and increased risks to local environments. Anduril’s assurance that production will be “safe and efficient” has done little to quell concerns, with many urging for more rigorous oversight and robust environmental impact assessments.

As funding continues to flow from both state coffers and federal defense budgets, community critics insist that transparent dialogue and accountability must accompany such expansive defense contracts. As the project advances, the debate is intensifying over whether economic and national security gains justify the profound changes to the local landscape and the ethical implications of bolstering a war machine that many fear is outpacing public oversight.