March 23, 2021
The Department of Defense has awarded two contracts to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. in support of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program. With an estimated maximum value of $1.6 billion through fiscal year 2022, this contract award is structured to carry two designs into the technology development and risk reduction phase of the acquisition program to reduce technical and schedule risk. This award will ensure NGI is an efficient and effective part of an integrated Missile Defense System (MDS) solution.
The Missile Defense Agency awards on March 23, 2021 support the department’s goal of increased competition by funding two designs while remaining flexible to align with evolving Defense Department strategies and priorities.
“Today’s awards are an important step in modernizing our Missile Defense System,” said Stacy Cummings, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “NGI plays an important role in our homeland defense, and our acquisition strategy is ensuring the department maximizes innovation to keep pace with rapidly advancing threats.”
As the ground-based midcourse missile defense system, NGI is an
advanced interceptor designed to protect the nation against
intercontinental ballistic missile attack. The department will uphold
“fly before you buy” principles to ensure the overall system and
components have been rigorously flight-tested prior to making any
procurement decisions.
“NGI is the result of the first holistic technical assessment of
homeland defenses the department has conducted since initial system
operations began in 2004,” added Vice Adm. Jon Hill, Director, Missile
Defense Agency. “By planning to carry two vendors through technology
development, MDA will maximize the benefits of competition to deliver
the most effective and reliable homeland defense missile to the
warfighter as soon as possible. Once fielded, this new homeland defense
interceptor will be capable of defeating expected threat advances into
the 2030s and beyond.”
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