The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) had awarded firm fixed-price Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) modifications to continue the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) prototype development. Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, successfully completed the Systems Requirements Review – Prototype (SRR-P) for the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI). The modifications have been awarded to Raytheon Missiles & Defence and Northrop Grumman. Under these modifications, both the companies will continue to refine and develop their concepts resulting in a System Requirements Review—Prototype.
GPI is designed to intercept hypersonic weapons in the glide phase of flight, providing the U.S. and allies with a regional layer of defense against hypersonic missile threats. With SRR-P complete, Raytheon Missiles & Defense moves on to preliminary design. Raytheon will continue maturing its GPI design using advanced materials and technology required to intercept a hypersonic threat. The latest award has increased the OTA value to $62m and this phase will finalise support accelerated development timelines and systems requirements.
“The Raytheon Missiles & Defense GPI concept employs a low-risk solution that uses proven Standard Missile technology already deployed on Aegis ships, while advancing critical technologies needed in the hypersonic environment,” said Tay Fitzgerald, president of Strategic Missile Defense at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “We have a firm understanding of the requirements, and we’re ready to continue GPI development. This is a major step toward delivering this capability to the warfighter.”
MDA’s GPI is being developed to intercept hypersonic weapons in the glide phase of flight. The interceptors will be fired from Navy aegis ballistic missile defence destroyers, using standard vertical launch system (VLS). It will provide an additional layer of defence to the US and its allied nations against regional hypersonic missile threats. The SRR-P determination showcases RMD’s experience with ship launched missiles systems and their ability to mature critical hypersonic technologies that ultimately help meet fleet operational requirements against existing and future threats.
