The Pentagon on Wednesday awarded Lockheed Martin a seven year undefinitized contract worth up to $35 billion to quadruple production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad interceptors, part of a push to replenish missile defence stockpiles and boost output. The award stems from a framework agreement the defence manufacturer reached with the Pentagon in January to significantly increase production over a multi-year period. The Donald Trump administration pushing to expand weapons production after military operations in Iran and other conflicts drew down US stockpiles.