The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has announced its collaboration with Northrop Grumman Corporation to develop the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), a defensive countermeasure specifically designed to address hypersonic missile threats.
In recent years, hypersonic weapons have gained attention for their potential to transform military capabilities. One such platform is the hypersonic gliding vehicle, which uses a boost-glide launch system. A rocket propels the weapon to the edge of space before it glides back into the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, following a non-ballistic trajectory known as a skip reentry or a ballistic coast. This allows the vehicle to fly at lower altitudes, making detection and interception harder. By staying below the radar horizon and maneuvering during flight, these weapons give air defenses little time to react.
Consequently, the MDA launched the GPI program to focus on countering threats that travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound and can maneuver unpredictably. In June 2022, Northrop Grumman and RTX were the two manufacturers to be shortlisted.
Arming the Aegis Combat System against hypersonic threats
With Northrop Grumman now selected, it will refine the GPI’s design, conduct system performance testing, and carry out accelerated flight experiments. The company will also leverage digital engineering practices to streamline the development process.
“GPI adds mission critical standoff to warfighters in scenarios where distance creates an advantage,” Wendy Williams, Vice President and General Manager of Launch and Missile Defense Systems at Northrop Grumman, emphasized.
The design incorporates technology such as enhanced seeker technology, a re-ignitable upper-stage engine, and dual engagement mode. The weapon will be deployed from the standard Vertical Launch System (VLS) of US Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense destroyers and the Aegis Ashore system.
The Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system designed to track and destroy incoming airborne threats such as missiles, aircraft, and even ballistic missiles. The system integrates radar and missile technology with powerful computing to detect, track, and engage multiple targets simultaneously.
Additionally, Northrop Grumman will collaborate with the United States and Japan’s Ministry of Defense under the GPI Cooperative Development Program to deliver the interceptors to MDA.