Next Generation Interceptor Achieves Communications Testing Milestone

Lockheed Martin’s interceptor’s communications system proved its ability to operate through harsh and adversarial environments that it may encounter during flight By DA Staff / 16 Aug 2022

Situational Awareness

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 11 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
An artist rendering of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) in flight. Credit- Lockheed Martin
Follow DA

Through early prototype testing at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Sunnyvale, California, the company demonstrated that the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI)’s communications system can operate through harsh and adversarial environments it may encounter during flight. 

The NGI’s mission is to protect the US homeland from increasing and evolving intercontinental ballistic missile threats. The interceptor and its components must be able to receive and share data from the ground and throughout the mission across vast distances, at tremendous speed through harsh environments.

This communication technology provides in-flight situational awareness enabling elements of the interceptor to effectively respond to complex threats.

“Early demonstrations like this allow us to learn as we go and manage risk,” said Sarah Reeves, vice president and program manager of the Next Generation Interceptor program at Lockheed Martin. “This milestone continues the NGI team’s successful early and often testing cadence of critical technologies within our digital system design as it matures in alignment with our Developmental Evaluation Framework.”

Lockheed Martin’s NGI program was born digital, using all-digital tools prior to contract award through the design and development phase. Through Agile development, the NGI team was able to rapidly create and prototype the communications capability through a focused approach on Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps), reducing risk early.

The NGI team incorporated rapid prototyping, in connection with Austin, Texas, small business X-Microwave, a Quantic Company, delivering hardware platforms for software-defined radio development in weeks, rather than months, allowing for faster design evolution.

The first Lockheed Martin NGI is forecast for delivery in FY2027.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

High-Performance Propeller Solutions for Defense & Government UAV Applications

Defense Advancement showcases Flyber's robust propeller solutions for military and government unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Jun 23, 2025
Honeywell’s F-35 PTMS Delivers Proven Performance with Scalable Upgrades & Global Support

Honeywell’s Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS) supports F-35 fleets with integrated power and cooling, a scalable 80kW upgrade path, and global sustainment and repair infrastructure

Jun 23, 2025
Enhancing Law Enforcement with BVLOS Drones & Elsight’s Secure Connectivity

Discover how Elsight’s BVLOS connectivity is boosting law enforcement operations by improving response times, enhancing safety, and supporting critical drone missions

Jun 23, 2025
Strategic Partnership Advances AI-Enabled Aerial Reconnaissance

Airbus and Quantum Systems are partnering to develop open, AI-enabled aerial reconnaissance solutions that enhance European defense capabilities

Jun 23, 2025
Aurora Supports University Research on Autonomy, Battery Systems & UAM Design

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, supports NASA-backed university projects with tools, expertise, and testing to advance autonomy, battery systems, and urban air mobility (UAM) design

Jun 20, 2025
ROVs Deployed to Support Underwater Demining Across Ukraine

Deep Trekker has delivered sixteen REVOLUTION ROVs to Ukraine’s emergency services, supporting underwater demining operations through a UNDP-led initiative

Jun 20, 2025

Featured Content

Q&A: Periphery’s Approach to Cybersecurity & CRA Readiness

This Q&A explores how Periphery’s AI-powered platform secures embedded devices with real-time threat detection, supporting defence applications and EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance

Jun 18, 2025
Trillium Launches Advanced Gimbal for Medium & Long Range Reconnaissance

Trillium Engineering’s new HD45 LV R delivers advanced imaging performance in an ultra-light gimbal, optimized for long range and medium range ISR missions

Jun 11, 2025
Honeywell Unveils New Lightweight Tactical-Grade IMU

Honeywell has launched the HG3900 IMU, a compact tactical-grade unit with reduced size and power consumption while maintaining near-navigation-grade performance levels

Jun 10, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.