Overview
- The Missile Defense Agency awarded Northrop Grumman a $475.3 million contract modification under a Prototype Project agreement, raising the Glide Phase Interceptor program’s value to about $1.31 billion.
- The infusion restores a slowed timeline, with MDA’s director now targeting delivery in 2031 after earlier cuts had pushed the date to 2035.
- Northrop says it is working toward a preliminary design review in 2028, and MDA estimates project completion in June 2028.
- New funding backs flight tests and lab work that check performance in extreme heat and clean stage separation, as engineers integrate the interceptor with the Navy’s Aegis combat system.
- Designed to launch from U.S. Navy warships, the interceptor aims to hit hypersonic missiles during their glide phase as part of a layered defense, with Japan leading propulsion work in a joint effort with Northrop and RTX.