Northrop Grumman has expedited the development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) to address the growing threat of hypersonic missiles, to reach a Preliminary Design Review by 2028.
This program, funded by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is a key component of the United States’ layered missile defence strategy, designed to deliver first-of-its-kind counter-hypersonic capabilities.
“Northrop Grumman is moving with speed to streamline and deliver a first-of-a-kind countermeasure against hypersonic threats. This award underscores the critical need for missile defense technologies, which Northrop Grumman is uniquely equipped to provide," Northrop Grumman, vice president and general manager, launch & exploration, Wendy Williams, stated.
As part of the contract, the team will: conduct critical flight tests to reduce risk and refine system design, expand multi-mission capabilities to enhance effectiveness and affordability for warfighters, and explore additional launch strategies for seamless integration into future national defence architectures.
The team continues to validate its GPI design through rigorous testing, including simulations of extreme temperature conditions and trials of interstage separation systems.
Engineers are also progressing model integration with the Aegis Weapon System, ensuring seamless interoperability across the MDA’s missile defence architecture to counter regional hypersonic threats.
Northrop Grumman has a role in the GPI Cooperative Development program in support of MDA and its Japan Ministry of Defense partner.