Glide Phase Interceptor: Could a Funding Boost Accelerate Development?
The Glide Phase Interceptor is DOD’s big bet on defending the United States and allies against advanced hypersonic missile technology. Hypersonics challenge modern missile defense systems by combining the high velocities of ballistic missiles with the maneuvering abilities of cruise missiles while travelling faster than Mach 5, or around 3,800 mph.
The GPI is a missile designed to shoot down a hypersonic weapon in its glide, or middle, phase of flight. But the future of the GPI is uncertain as the Missile Defense Agency is confronting a three-year delay in delivering the weapon due to reduced funding levels and a shortened development period, according to Defense News.
MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner, told a House panel in April that better funding from Congress would help the agency accelerate GPI development.
“It’s primarily … resourcing at this point,” he said. “There are some technology things that need to happen in the next three to five years, but then there [are] resourcing alignment issues that could accelerate that.”
Learn more about MDA investment priorities for the Glide Phase Interceptor directly from Lt. Gen. Collins at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31! Lt. Gen. Collins’ keynote address will also touch on other critical missile defense programs in MDA’s FY 2026 budget request such as Golden Dome and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. Secure your seat now for this elite GovCon event and prepare your firm for higher profits in FY 2026.
Can the U.S. Shoot Down Hypersonic Missiles?
Hypersonic weapons are intentionally designed to be more survivable against modern ballistic missile defense systems. They can be deployed from the final stages of intercontinental ballistic missiles or submarine-launched ballistic missiles and travel along the top of the atmosphere using meticulous jet engines to reach hypersonic speeds.
MDA won’t start delivering the GPI until at least 2035, Air and Space Forces Magazine has reported. Lt. Gen. Collins, in the meantime, is evaluating alternatives for an interceptor that can immediately protect the U.S. and its allies in hypersonic defense.
DOD already has different interceptors at its disposal, such as those used in Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, Aegis BMD and the Ground-Based Interceptor. Lt. Gen. Collins has unique insight into interceptor capability from his previous experience as Air Force program executive officer for weapons and head of its armament directorate.
How Many THAAD Does the U.S. Have?
THAAD is a ground-based system to defend against short-, medium- and limited intermediate-range threat missiles. A THAAD battery consists of a fire control unit, wheeled-vehicle launchers, a radar, a communications system and interceptors. MDA delivered 89 THAAD interceptors in FY 2022 and can deliver eight interceptors per month and as many as 12 in rare circumstances, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Aegis BMD is a naval missile defense system that contributes regional and homeland missile defense. It uses Standard Missile-3, or SM-3, interceptors against short-, medium- and intermediate-range enemy missiles. SM-3 has two variants, Block IB and Block IIA. 24 Block IB missiles and nine Block IIAs were delivered in FY 2022.
Who Won Glide Phase Interceptor?
Northrop Grumman won the GPI development competition with a $541 million MDA contract award in 2024. The contract runs through November 2029. Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin were also competing for a GPI development contract under awards from MDA.
DOD also has a cooperative development project arrangement with Japan for GPI. MDA is leading the development while Japan is contributing rocket motor development and propulsion components.
Discover subcontracting opportunities involved in Glide Phase Interceptor and other missile defense programs at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31! Be the first to learn about innovative contracting methods in missile defense at the Golden Dome: Advancing Integrated Defense Through Industry Collaboration panel. Catch up quickly on advanced technologies such as kinetic kill vehicles, advanced propulsion and hypersonic threat detection and tracking. Sign up now for this action-packed GovCon event!
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