National Defense
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Integrated air and missile defense is an increasingly hot topic, especially in the Middle East, and the Missile Defense Agency is trying to go fast by evolving existing systems while moving toward next-generation platforms, its director said.
The agency issued a contract in April to Lockheed Martin to continue development of the Next-Generation Interceptor, which will progress through phase two development and should be fielded in 2028, Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said at the National Defense Industrial Association’s recent 2024 Missile Defense Conference.
“The first level of capability for [Next-Generation Interceptor] is a step change, generational increase in capability and flexibility and agility that we require to get after the tougher threats that are coming down the pike,” he said.
