Northrop Grumman supports end-to-end missile defence demo

Land December 15, 2023

Northrop Grumman has supported Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) test of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.

The FTG-12 test used a stage selectable Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missile system against the company’s own air-launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) target vehicle, managed by the GMD Ground System and Fire Control to demonstrate enhanced capabilities for the warfighter.

During the test, the GMD Ground System processed data from multiple sensors to identify and characterize the inbound IRBM threat, devised a defensive solution and launched the intercepting GMD GBI to negate the threat.

This test validated Northrop Grumman’s enhanced capabilities, increasing the performance of the GMD system against the evolving threat.

The GMD system is currently deployed in multiple locations and is the first and only operational missile defense system to defend the US against intermediate and long-range ballistic missile attacks.

Scott Lehr, vice president of launch and missile defense systems, Northrop Grumman, said: “As the threat landscape advances, it’s critical to ensure our homeland defense systems are tested and proven in the event of an attack.

“This successful test demonstrates we are ready and have confidence in the MDA’s end-to-end missile defense solutions that are deployed today.”

Northrop Grumman serves as a strategic partner to The Boeing Company for the GMD development and sustainment contract, providing development, integration, operations and sustainment of the ground systems as well as the interceptor boost vehicle.

Built on over 60 years of mission-proven missile defense experience, Northrop Grumman provides full scope missile defense capabilities to include missile interceptors and test targets, coupled with secure communications, missile warning, and advanced space domain awareness.