Lockheed, MDA Conducts All Up Round Review for Next Generation Interceptor

Lockheed Martin, in partnership with the Missile Defense Agency, conducted a digital All Up Round Preliminary Design Review on Sept. 29 for the Next Generation Interceptor missile.

Digital engineering and model-based tools were used to ensure that the NGI’s hardware and software meet the U.S. military’s requirements, Lockheed said. 

Tests performed during the review include threat sensing validation and communications relay.

According to the company, digital tools drive affordability and enable early and frequent hardware and software testing. The PDR’s completion allows Lockheed to procure long-lead hardware to support the manufacturing of flight test vehicles.

With the preliminary review’s conclusion, Lockheed will proceed with the Critical Design Review milestone, slated for the third quarter of the company’s fiscal year 2025. During the CDR, the MDA will determine when flight testing can start.

The first NGI is expected to be delivered to the U.S. military by 2027.

The All Up Round PDR milestone comes over a year after Lockheed tested the prototype communications radio technology to be used for the interceptor. 

NGI is part of MDA’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, designed to protect the U.S. mainland from long-range ballistic threats.