The Greenville Story

For 40 years, Lockheed Martin has called South Carolina home. We are proud of our deep local roots and the ability to help ensure global security from right here in Greenville.

 By providing world-class, mission-focused support to our customers and U.S. allies, we expanded our Greenville workforce, operations, and economic and social impact. In the process, we became the internationally recognized Global Home of the F-16.  

Celebrating the anniversary milestone, Trish Pagan, vice president of F-16 programs and Greenville site lead, said: “The Greenville site’s performance, impact and evolution over four decades is a testament to its enduring role as a national security asset. Our talented and dedicated teams are keeping customers ahead of ready with 21st Century Security solutions, and we’re honored to support our allies’ missions around the globe.” 

The Greenville site began operations on Aug. 27, 1984, with a modest 12-person workforce and only two hangars and one office building. Today, we have more than 1,800 employees — many of whom have served or are serving in the armed forces — and 16 hangars. Our site spans 275 acres and has nearly 1.2 million square feet of covered space.  

Growing South Carolina’s economy. Strengthening global security. 

To date, the Greenville site has delivered 13 Block 70 F-16s, is the first industry F-16 sustainment depot of its kind, and has provided world-class, affordable sustainment services for thousands of military and civilian aircraft.  

Our overall annual economic impact on South Carolina exceeds $1.3 billion, including financial support for nearly 200 suppliers based in the state, among which are many small businesses. Greenville employees have volunteered thousands of hours with local organizations, coupled with millions of dollars in donations from Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics business area. 

Our first aircraft in work was a maritime patrol P-3 Orion, and additional P-3s were soon followed by C-130s, KC-10s, C-9s, and many other platforms. To this day, we continue to provide nose-to-tail sustainment services, depot-level maintenance, and more to ensure customer aircraft can operate for decades to come. In 2017, Lockheed Martin moved its F-16 production line from Fort Worth, Texas to Greenville, enabling the site to provide full life-cycle coverage for the aircraft.

Greenville also leads the way in F-16 innovation, implementing new digital technologies and advanced mission systems in the Block 70, which accomplished first flight on Jan. 24, 2023. Two months later, the F-16 was voted Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina. In 2024, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed Jan. 30 F-16 Fighting Falcon Day.  

Innovating with urgency. Transforming the industry. 

Plans are in work for the ongoing expansion of the Greenville site. Construction in 2023 added a 30,000-square-foot material flow center, 280-person breakroom and 60-person office space in the main F-16 production facility, and more construction is underway. Generational improvements have also been made to upgrade facilities across the site to support overall growth in workforce and capabilities.