L3Harris Technologies will provide two key propulsion systems to Northrop Grumman to support the Missile Defense Agency’s Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) program, a defensive weapon intended to defeat hypersonic glide vehicles.

“Our propulsion technology has been a cornerstone of national defense for decades, and through this program, we look forward to continuing to develop modern, cost-effective propulsion solutions to support our warfighters,” said Ross Niebergall, President, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris.

“Our innovative and reliable solid rocket motor technology will help the GPI program strengthen the deterrence posture of the U.S., allies and partners by adding another layer to our regional defensive architecture,” he added.

L3Harris will provide a large solid rocket motor for first stage boost propulsion and an advanced version to power the third stage of the interceptor missile.

Solid rocket motors are one of the many products L3Harris manufactures to support offensive and defensive systems, including air-breathing scramjet engines, divert and attitude control systems, warheads and other missile technologies.

On 25 September 2024, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced it will proceed with Northrop Grumman Corporation for the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) program, the first-of-its-kind defensive countermeasure against hypersonic missile threats.

Working in close partnership with MDA, the three-year developmental effort produced a purpose-built, innovative design capable of defeating existing and emerging hypersonic threats.

During this next phase of development, Northrop Grumman will:

• Continue to refine the preliminary design of the GPI, which will fire from the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense destroyers and Aegis Ashore using the standard Vertical Launch System
• Demonstrate system performance in hypersonic environments prior to conducting its Preliminary Design Review
• Complete flight experiments ahead of schedule leveraging the company’s own flight-proven systems
• Use digital engineering practices to connect the entire GPI program to accelerate design processes and develop interceptor capabilities faster and more efficiently

Wendy Williams, Vice President and General Manager, Launch and Missile Defense Systems, Northrop Grumman, said: “GPI adds mission critical standoff to warfighters in scenarios where distance creates an advantage. Tailorable to a multitude of mission requirements, Northrop Grumman’s revolutionary solution is designed to perform in the evolving threat landscape.”

Northrop Grumman’s design includes advanced technologies, such as a seeker for threat tracking and hit-to-kill accuracy, a re-ignitable upper stage engine used for threat containment and a dual engagement mode to engage threats across a wide range of altitudes.

Northrop Grumman will work closely with the United States in support of its role under the GPI Cooperative Development program with the Japan Ministry of Defense to deliver interceptors to the MDA.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Its pioneering solutions equip customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe.

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, its employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security. (Photo: Illustration of Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) © Northrop Grumman)