The Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) detects, tracks, controls, and engages hypersonic threats during the glide phase of a missile’s flight. The GPI is directly integrated into the Missile Defense Agency’s multi-layered defense system to provide reliable protection against regional hypersonic missile threats. Northrop Grumman utilizes more than six decades of proven missile defense expertise in the GPI mission. With our capabilities in command and control, advanced subsystems, and total vehicle design, integration, and deployment, we provide customers with a fully capable defensive solution.
Northrop Grumman designed the GPI with productivity, manufacturability, and maintainability in mind, and utilizes best practices from its extensive propulsion, missile, aircraft, and space programs.
Our GPI program leverages a fully digital environment to achieve modularity, adaptability, and affordability, improving system performance throughout the system’s lifecycle. Using a systems engineering model set, we simultaneously evaluate interceptor and sensor data to successfully address hypersonic threats.
This flexible approach allows for rapid agreements and produces an interceptor fully compatible with the Aegis Weapon System. Additionally, it utilizes a modular and open system architecture to be prepared for future mission requirements.
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Glide Phase Interceptor: Could More Funding Accelerate Progress?
The Glide Phase Interceptor represents the Pentagon’s major effort to protect the United States and its allies from advanced hypersonic missile threats. Combining the extreme speed of ballistic missiles and the maneuverability of cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5—approximately 3,800 mph—present a new challenge for missile defense.
According to Air and Space Forces Magazine, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) does not expect to begin deploying the GPI until at least 2035. In the meantime, Lieutenant General Collins is continuing to review other interceptor options that could immediately strengthen the defenses of the United States and its allies against hypersonic attacks.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system provides ground-based protection against short-, medium-, and some intermediate-range missile threats. Each THAAD battery consists of a radar, a fire control unit, mobile launchers, interceptors, and a communications network. The Government Accountability Office reported that in fiscal year 2022, the MDA delivered 89 THAAD interceptors, with a production capacity of eight interceptors per month and, in rare cases, up to 12.
The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system enhances security from the sea, thereby enhancing regional and internal defense capabilities. Aegis uses the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) to counter short-, medium-, and intermediate-range threats. The SM-3 is available in two models, Block IB and Block IIA. During fiscal year 2022, the MDA delivered 24 Block IB and nine Block IIA.
How many THAAD interceptors does the US operate?
THAAD is a land-based defense system designed to intercept short-, medium-, and some intermediate-range missile threats. Each battery consists of interceptors, radar, launchers, a fire control system, and communications equipment. According to the GAO report, in fiscal year 2022, MDA delivered 89 THAAD interceptors, maintaining a steady production rate of approximately eight per month and able to increase to 12 if needed.
Who won the glide stage interceptor contract?
Northrop Grumman won the GPI development contract in 2024, valued at $541 million. The agreement runs until November 2029. Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Lockheed Martin both competed for the same award before MDA made its decision.
The United States and Japan also have a collaborative role in GPI development. While MDA manages the overall program, Japan provides expertise in rocket motors and propulsion system components.
Northrop Grumman Makes Progress on GPI Program with MDA and Japan
The Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) program aims to develop a system that can track and destroy hypersonic missiles as they pass through the Earth’s upper atmosphere, a phase known as the glide phase. U.S. Navy destroyers equipped with the Aegis system and Aegis Ashore platforms will launch these interceptors.
According to officials, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Defense, is selecting Northrop Grumman for the next stage of development and future production opportunities.
“Today’s decision by MDA marks a significant step forward in hypersonic glide phase defense,” said Lieutenant General Heath Collins, director of the agency. “I commend the dedication of our entire team and our industry partners in reaching this stage. Having Japan as a partner strengthens our path forward on this critical counter-hypersonic mission.”
Northrop Grumman has secured the role in the development of the RTX. Following Lockheed Martin’s exit, both companies joined the program under Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) in 2022. By 2023, the agency had advanced both Northrop and RTX’s interceptor concepts to the “Technology Development Phase,” equivalent to Milestone A.
Key features of Northrop’s design include an advanced seeker for precise tracking and direct-hit capability, a re-ignitable upper-stage motor for extended threat coverage, and a dual engagement approach for hypersonic targets at various altitudes.
Wendy Williams, the company’s vice president of launch and missile defense systems, said, “GPI provides warfighters with a significant standoff advantage in situations where distance matters most. Northrop Grumman’s innovative solution is adaptable to diverse mission requirements and delivers performance against emerging threats.”
US Navy Advances GPI Hypersonic Missile Defense Program
GPI aims to strengthen regional hypersonic missile defense by launching specially adapted interceptors from US Navy surface ships to detect and destroy incoming hypersonic threats in space and at the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. Hypersonic missiles can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, equivalent to approximately 4,000 miles per hour.
The Pentagon has awarded $52.5 million in contracts to Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion Systems unit in Chandler, Arizona, and Raytheon’s RTX division in Tucson, Arizona. Both defense companies will continue to advance and test their GPI designs during the technology development phase.
GPI prototypes will integrate with the existing Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Network, which launches interceptors via a naval vessel’s Vertical Launching System. This program requires new interceptor designs and upgrades to the Aegis weapon system to support GPI launches.
Northrop Grumman will handle work in Chandler, Arizona; Colorado Springs and Boulder, Colorado; Huntsville, Alabama; San Diego; and Linthicum, Maryland. Raytheon teams will operate from Tucson, Arizona; El Dorado Hills, California; Aurora, Colorado; Tewksbury, Woburn, and Andover, Massachusetts; McKinney, Texas; and Huntsville, Alabama. Both companies plan to complete these efforts by February 2025.
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