8.10.2024

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) to advance the development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), the first defensive countermeasure designed to address the growing threat of hypersonic missiles. This next phase of the program follows a three-year collaboration with MDA that has resulted in an innovative design aimed at neutralizing both current and emerging hypersonic threats.

As part of this ongoing effort, Northrop Grumman will:

+ Refine the GPI's preliminary design, which will be launched from U.S. Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense destroyers and Aegis Ashore installations using the standard Vertical Launch System.

+ Demonstrate the system's performance in hypersonic environments ahead of its Preliminary Design Review.

+ Conduct flight experiments using Northrop Grumman's proven flight systems to stay ahead of schedule.

+ Utilize digital engineering to accelerate the design process, ensuring faster and more efficient development of interceptor capabilities.

Wendy Williams, Northrop Grumman's vice president and general manager of launch and missile defense systems, commented, "GPI adds mission critical standoff to warfighters in scenarios where distance creates an advantage. Tailorable to a multitude of mission requirements, Northrop Grumman's revolutionary solution is designed to perform in the evolving threat landscape."

The GPI design incorporates advanced technologies, including a seeker for tracking threats and ensuring hit-to-kill accuracy. The system also features a re-ignitable upper-stage engine for threat containment and a dual engagement mode, enabling it to target threats across a wide range of altitudes.

Northrop Grumman is collaborating with the U.S. and Japan under the GPI Cooperative Development program, delivering interceptors to the MDA in support of their missile defense strategy.

Quelle: SD