Lockheed beats out Northrop on $17 billion US missile contract
The US intended to procure 20 Next Generation Interceptors (NGI). (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The Next Generation Interceptor and accompanying radars will play a key role in protecting the US against long-range ballistic missile threats.
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has selected Lockheed Martin to deliver the new homeland missile defence capability.
The US$17 billion multi-year missile contract will cover the development of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) to modernise the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) programme. The primary role of the multiple-kill vehicle interceptor and radars will be to protect the US against long-range ballistic missile threats.
The first interceptor was expected to be operational in 2028.
“We are committed to delivering reliable interceptors that will seamlessly integrate with the GMD system and can rapidly evolve with the threat,” said Sarah Hiza, VP and GM of strategic and missile defence at Lockheed Martin.
As recently as last week, Lit Gen Heath Collins, head of the MDA, revealed that the NGI was advancing through the technology development phase and was set to transition to product development in May.
The US intended to procure 20 interceptors and station them at Fort Greely, Alaska. Collins indicated that the agency would choose between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman for the programme, both of which were awarded contracts in 2021 to develop designs.
Northrop Grumman and its partner company, Raytheon, successfully completed the All-Up Round (AUR) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of its NGI offering in February this year. Lockheed Martin, for its part, said to have executed its digital AUR PDR review on September 29 last year.
After expending $1.2 billion on a contract with Boeing for a kill vehicle in 2019, the Pentagon terminated the project due to technical design issues. Subsequently, the US rebooted the contract process to solicit bids for the entire interceptor system. Boeing was excluded from the competition in 2021.
Government estimates projected the NIG programme to be valued at approximately $17.7 billion over its lifespan.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers]()
Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers
The recent operational use and success of the APKWS laser-guidance kit on the UK RAF's Typhoons has driven demand from other Eurofighter customers for integration of the system on their own combat aircraft fleet, according to BAE Systems.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Wartime iteration gives Ukraine an edge as future UAV exporter]()
Eurosatory 2026: Wartime iteration gives Ukraine an edge as future UAV exporter
As industrial-scale drone production proves its battlefield worth in Ukraine, what happens to that production capacity and knowhow once the guns fall silent – and is Ukraine about to become one of the world’s most credible UAV export partners?
-
![Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success]()
Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success
The one-way-effector uncrewed aerial vehicle has also been tested by the British Army, following on from its contract award notice in February 2026.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
