DefenseNews:

The Missile Defense Agency is aiming to get its first Next-Generation Interceptors to replace the current Ground-Based Interceptors that make up the United States’ homeland ballistic missile defense system by 2028, but the agency’s director anticipates being able to move more quickly.

Two teams — a Northrop Grumman and Raytheon team and Lockheed Martin with Aerojet Rocketdyne — will go head-to-head to develop the NGI after both being awarded development contracts to mature technology and reduce risk.

“If you look at the timeline to get to the first emplacement in 2028,” which is the government’s schedule, “through competition, we know that date is going to come to the left,” Vice Adm. Jon Hill, said at the McAleese and Associates conference May 12.

With the abrupt cancellation of the Redesigned Kill Vehicle in 2019, that would have upgraded the warhead of the GBIs, the pressure is on to ensure the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System has interceptors capable of going up against evolving intercontinental ballistic missile threats from North Korea and Iran…



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