Lockheed Martin Developing Next-Gen Missile Defense System

Defense News ,U.S :-  In November 2023, Lockheed Martin achieved an important step in developing a new missile defense system for the United States. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) approved the completion of a key milestone, called Knowledge Point 1 (KP1), ahead of schedule. This progress allows Lockheed Martin's Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program to move forward towards the Critical Design Review (CDR).

During KP1, the MDA evaluated Lockheed Martin’s progress, checking off design review milestones and confirming advancements in crucial technologies, manufacturing readiness, and the NGI Software Factory. This success follows Lockheed Martin's on-schedule execution of the All Up Round Preliminary Design Review in September.

Sarah Reeves, vice president of NGI at Lockheed Martin, expressed pride in the team's technical achievements during KP1. She highlighted the program's maturity, unprecedented for this stage of a missile defense initiative. With MDA's approval, Lockheed Martin is now entering the detailed design phase, continuing to test integrated NGI hardware and software in preparation for production and flight testing.

Lockheed Martin is on track for the next milestone, the Critical Design Review. The ongoing work includes constructing ground test vehicles and using digital engineering tools to virtually simulate the interceptor's performance during system integration trials.

The NGI system aims to protect the U.S. from evolving threats posed by long-range ballistic missiles from rogue nations. The first Lockheed Martin NGI is expected to be delivered to the military as early as Fiscal Year 2027.