U.S. to be Equipped with Next Generation Missile Defense System

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has selected Lockheed Martin and partner Aerojet Rocketdyne to deliver the nation’s most advanced missile defense system, the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI).

The $3.7 billion contract for Next Generation Interceptor is the first step in the development and demonstration phase delivering on MDA’s requirements to modernize the current Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.

The NGI is specifically designed to meet environmental survivability needs and to enable the warfighter to outpace adversary threats for homeland defense. This contract will develop the interceptor all-up-round, which includes both the booster and hit-to-kill payload and will launch from the current GBI silo infrastructure in Ft. Greely, AK and Vandenberg AFB, CA.

“We are excited and proud the MDA entrusted Lockheed Martin to lead the development of this game-changing system that will greatly improve our nation’s security for decades to come,” said Sarah Reeves, vice president of Next Generation Interceptor Program at Lockheed Martin. “We have been working toward supporting never-fail missions such as NGI for decades, and our team has the expertise and shared vision required to deliver on the MDA’s need to evolve GMD.”

NGI is a missile defense interceptor program designed to protect and defend the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles. This program will serve as a first line of a layered missile defense architecture against evolving threats from rogue nations and is a national priority for the MDA and U.S. Northern Command. The first interceptor will be fielded ahead of the nation’s need.

Lockheed Martin leveraged its $580-million investment in multi-object kill vehicle technology, hit-to-kill experience on THAAD and decades providing strategic systems to the U.S. Navy Trident program.

The NGI system design provides significant enhancement from the onset with the ability to respond to multiple threats with a single interceptor. This significant advance, coupled with a refreshed approach to design for maintainability and reliability, provide the operational availability the warfighter requires. Cost improvements and affordability enabled by digital engineering are at the core of Lockheed Martin’s design.