The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has selected Lockheed Martin to lead development and production of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), a vital addition to the US missile defense system. This announcement follows a competitive down-selection process that evaluated proposals from two contractors.
Lockheed Martin’s press release emphasizes its own strengths and capabilities for the NGI program. The company highlights its commitment to delivering a modern, reliable, and affordable interceptor that integrates seamlessly with the existing Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system. They also point to their advanced digital tools and processes designed to meet production demands efficiently. “Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the MDA on a revolutionary interceptor to advance our nation’s security,” said Sarah Hiza, vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin. “We are committed to delivering reliable interceptors that will seamlessly integrate with the GMD system and can rapidly evolve with the threat,” Hiza added.
The primary objective, as outlined by the MDA, is to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) for the NGI by the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2028, aligning with US Northern Command’s (USNORTHCOM) priority requirement. Lockheed Martin will lead the NGI development through Critical Design Review (CDR), flight testing, and integration with the GMD system. A follow-on production and emplacement contract is expected after successful completion of these stages.
While the selection announcement itself doesn’t delve into the specifics of collaboration, the MDA press release mentions that the selection comes after a competitive process with two contractors. “The American defense industry is one of our country’s greatest strengths, and having to decide between the two different design approaches was very difficult,” said Lt Gen Heath Collins, Director, Missile Defense Agency. “That said, in our effort to Go Fast and Think Big, we are very confident in our decision to go with Lockheed Martin…”. This competitive down-selection process is intended to ensure a rigorous evaluation and is expected to contribute to cost-effectiveness and innovation in the NGI development.
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