MDA, Northrop Grumman to Move Forward with Development of the Glide Phase Interceptor

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in coordination with our international partner the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD), will proceed with Northrop Grumman Corporation to continue development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI). With this decision, MDA took another step closer toward its goal of delivering a glide-phase layer of regional hypersonic defense.

Northrop Grumman will continue to perform under its existing Other Transaction Agreement (OTA). This effort is expected to lead to a follow-on development and production contract in support of achieving the Department of Defense priority requirement of developing integrated layered defeat capabilities to degrade adversaries' hypersonic weapons.

MDA is confident of this decision based on the GPI concept's technology maturity, high fidelity model performance predictions, detailed technical maturation plans and industry-provided cost and schedule proposals.

"Today's decision represents a turning point for hypersonic glide phase defense," said Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, MDA Director. "I'm very proud of the entire team including our industry partners, for all the hard work to get to this point. It is also an honor to have Japan as our partner as we move forward on this critical counter-hypersonic capability."

MDA is leading the development of GPI for the Department of Defense, which will provide hypersonic missile defense capability during the glide phase portion of hypersonic flight. Earlier this year, MDA and Japan MoD signed a formal GPI Cooperative Development Project Arrangement, establishing a strong partnership in developing this counter-hypersonic capability.

"Japan Ministry of Defense and MDA performed a comprehensive assessment of the GPI missile concepts from the respective perspective and standpoint," said Dr. Horie Kazuhiro, Vice-Commissioner and Chief Technology Officer of Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), Ministry of Defense, Japan. "I am most pleased with the decision delivered from close discussions between MOD and MDA where both parties had a concurrence on the conclusion of the assessment."

First started in 2021, MDA awarded three agreements in support of the GPI. In June 2022 MDA exercised two of those three agreement options to continue development of GPI. Retaining more than one concept throughout the System Requirements Review, MDA received approval on April 21, 2023 to transition the GPI program from the Material Solutions Analysis phase in the Missile Defense System acquisition process to the Technology Development phase (Milestone A equivalent). MDA has continued the technology maturation of the two GPI concepts up until today's announcement.

This decision allows MDA and Japan MoD to focus on a solution that meets cost, schedule and performance requirements. Additional risk will be mitigated based on the technical maturity of the design and the technical rigor built into the upfront design and development process.

GPI leverages the current and proven Missile Defense System to deliver an additional, glide-phase layer of regional hypersonic defense and is a tip-to-tail designed system that counters not only today's threat but also the threat set of 2035.

Additional information about all elements of the U.S. Missile Defense System can be found at mda.mil

Please direct all MDA media related queries to Mark Wright, Director, Public Affairs, at 571-231-8212, Heather Cavaliere, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, at 256-450-4699, or Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, public affairs officer, at 571-231-8211.

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