Lockheed Martin is fast-tracking development of a next-generation interceptor to destroy Russian and Chinese ballistic missiles

Lockheed Martin is ahead of schedule in completing inspections of all subsystems in the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) programme. The company announced this in its recent press release.

Here's What We Know

Lockheed Martin is building the NGI for the US Missile Defence Agency. The interceptor will help protect the country's territory from aerial threats. During the announcement of the project in spring 2021, the US Department of Defence said that the NGI will be able to shoot down Chinese and Russian missiles on counter courses.

The US Missile Defence Agency signed a contract with Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne in 2021. Under the plan, the companies are to produce a next-generation missile interceptor by 2028.

The NGI will be the backbone of the ground-based missile defence system. The agency wants to buy 20 interceptors starting in 2028. In parallel with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman is developing its own solution.

Source: Lockheed Martin