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
-
![Embraer’s Millennium and Super Tucanos generate new customers]()
Embraer’s Millennium and Super Tucanos generate new customers
Described as a “true” multi-role aircraft, Embraer has set an aim for the C-390 Millennium to be the cornerstone for different operations, from HA/DR to combat missions.
-
![Kongsberg to invest $110 million to increase production capacities in the US]()
Kongsberg to invest $110 million to increase production capacities in the US
Expected contracts from the US Armed Forces will see the company build a new facility in Virginia, as well as improving and expanding its manufacturing capabilities in Pennsylvania.
-
![Saab delivers fifth and final GlobalEye to UAE]()
Saab delivers fifth and final GlobalEye to UAE
Saab delivered the fourth GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the UAE earlier this year with the fifth aircraft concluding the order.
-
![US Air Force eyes multi-orbit SATCOM capabilities]()
US Air Force eyes multi-orbit SATCOM capabilities
The service is interested in the benefits it can provide such as network throughput, low latency, and resiliency for encrypted and non-encrypted communications.
-
![Greenlight for Romania’s F-35 purchase takes approvals for the decade to almost $35 billion]()
Greenlight for Romania’s F-35 purchase takes approvals for the decade to almost $35 billion
Romania is set to get the go-ahead for the purchase of F-35s after approval by the US State Department. Challenges before pen is put to paper remain, however, despite US$34.9 billion for 156 F-35s and equipment and systems having been approved to date.
-
![Japan cleared for more KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft under $4.1 billion deal]()
Japan cleared for more KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft under $4.1 billion deal
Japan ordered two KC-46A tanker aircraft under an FMS contract with the US Air Force awarded in December 2017. The deal was increased to six tankers with subsequent orders. Japan has now been approved for up to nine more aircraft.
