Northrop Grumman missile interceptor passes test
Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have teamed up to bid for the Next Generation Interceptor requirement. (Image: Northrop Grumman)
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman-Raytheon have been competing for the Next Generation Interceptor programme to defend the US from Intercontinental Ballistic Missile threats.
Northrop Grumman and its partner company Raytheon have successfully completed the All-Up Round (AUR) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of its Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) offering, part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, in partnership with the US DoD Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
A key requirement of this PDR has been demonstrating that the design would maintain full capability while surviving challenging environments, as well as establishing the approach for the full integration of the interceptor design across all its subsystems before moving into more advanced phases of development.
The Northrop Grumman team provided on-site interactive demonstrators for review by MDA, including a full-scale solid rocket motor, avionics and other test hardware.
Raytheon provided kill vehicle hardware used during environmental testing, sensor hardware, kill vehicle hardware that supports manufacturing fixtures and test equipment. There was also a full-scale digital model of the AUR design in a virtual reality environment as part of the PDR.
Following the successful completion of PDR, Northrop Grumman will continue maturing its NGI design on the path to its Critical Design Review. The first operational NGI has been forecast to be deployed as early as 2027.
Lockheed Martin's NGI programme executed its digital AUR PDR review on September 29 last year.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Could an outdated US Army organic industrial base threaten US readiness?]()
Could an outdated US Army organic industrial base threaten US readiness?
The US Army’s organic industrial base still uses World War II production methods and technologies, leading to delays and cost overruns and limiting its ability to produce critical ammunition and maintain its ground fleet in operation.
-
![Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?]()
Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?
Manufacturers are speeding up their counter-drone development efforts as countries increasingly focus on procurements to provide battlefield and national protection.
-
![Fourth company looks to Texelis Celeris chassis to develop a new 4x4 vehicle]()
Fourth company looks to Texelis Celeris chassis to develop a new 4x4 vehicle
Finnish company SCATA will use the Texelis Celeris chassis for a new vehicle similar to the Serval 4x4 which Texelis is building with KNDS France for the French Army.
-
![Sweden seeks US HIMARS missile system to expand long-range strike capability]()
Sweden seeks US HIMARS missile system to expand long-range strike capability
The proposed $920 million deal would provide Sweden with a step up from its existing tube artillery and align the country with other northern European nations that have selected the HIMARS platform.
-
![Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers]()
Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers
The attack drone threat from first-person view uncrewed aerial systems has been highlighted by recent conflicts and Thales has adapted its Storm 2 counter-improvised explosive device jammer to provide protection.
-
![Rolls-Royce to lead powertrain development for MGCS in important step for the programme]()
Rolls-Royce to lead powertrain development for MGCS in important step for the programme
The move signals significant progress for the delayed Franco-German Main Ground Combat System programme with first powerpack prototypes set to be tested before the end of the decade.
