MDA Selects Lockheed Martin to Continue Development of Next Generation Interceptor

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) selected Lockheed Martin to continue development of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) through a Critical Design Review, All up Round qualification, integration in the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Weapon System, and flight testing. These efforts will lead to a follow-on production and emplacement contract to support achieving the United States Northern Command's #1 priority requirement for homeland missile defense: initial operational capability for the NGI no later than 4th Quarter Fiscal Year (FY) 2028.

MDA is confident in this decision based on the technical maturity of the solutions, objective contractor-provided performance data, technical rigor in the design development process and early testing built into the program from the onset.

"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 and its plans to develop and field a Next Generation Interceptor that will meet USNORTHCOM's operational need and be ready for emplacement in 2028."

A Robust, Objective Review and Down-Select Process

On March 24, 2021, the Department of Defense awarded two contracts in support of the NGI program. Retaining a competitive environment throughout the technology development and design activities has already proven to be a key catalyst in support of the Department's ability to field a system capable of addressing the expanding threat no later than 2028. Recently, each of the two Prime Contractor teams successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Knowledge Point (KP) #1. The successful completion of not one but two PDRs and KP #1s demonstrates the soundness of MDA's acquisition approach and increases confidence in its ability to deliver a solution that meets cost, schedule, and performance requirements.

Maintaining competition through the Technology Development Phase and down-selecting after PDR and KP #1, a Department of Defense best practice, allows MDA to focus its resources on a single solution going forward. Additional risk is mitigated based on the technical maturity of the solutions; the technical rigor and testing built into the upfront design and development process; and the discovery of technical issues earlier on an accelerated schedule with time and funding available to implement remedies/mitigations.

About GMD

The GMD program office enhances and sustains the current and future GMD Weapon System as part of the Missile Defense System for Homeland Defense. MDA is implementing numerous improvements to the GMD Weapon System that are critical to countering ballistic missiles in the inventories of our adversaries today and for decades to come. The NGI program is a key centerpiece of an improved GMD Weapon System. The NGI is designed to defend against the current and evolving rogue nation ballistic missile threat to the homeland.

Please direct all media related queries to Mark Wright, Director, Public Affairs, at 571-231-8212, [email protected] or Heather Cavaliere, Deputy Director, Public Affairs at 256-450-4699, [email protected]

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