Boeing, Anduril Midrange Interceptor Advances in US Army Competition
Team to further develop offering to defend against cruise missiles and hostile drones.
The U.S. Army selected Boeing to advance to the next phase of competition for the Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 Second Interceptor — a capability that will be designed to protect fixed and forward operating bases from cruise missiles, militarized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and related aerial threats.
Why it matters: This down-select provides Boeing the resources to deliver an affordable, high-performance midrange interceptor that fills the gap between other short- and long-range defences and allows for more interceptors in each magazine for base defence.
Driving the news: The U.S. Army’s decision begins Phase 2 of its IFPC Increment 2 Second Interceptor competition, with a detailed design, system development, integration, demonstration and a competitive capability demonstration to validate performance against Army requirements.
How it works: Boeing’s interceptor combines seeker technology, a compact form factor, a solid rocket motor supplied by Anduril Rocket Motor Systems and a Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA).
- MOSA enables faster, lower-cost upgrades by allowing seeker, avionics or software blocks to be swapped without redesigning the entire weapon.
- The design targets an effective engagement radius to defend against midrange threats.
Zoom in: Last December, Boeing partnered with Anduril for their innovative solid rocket motor capacity and to build an agile industry team capable of producing at scale for the IFPC Increment 2 Second Interceptor competition.
The big picture: Boeing’s solution emphasizes affordability, magazine depth, and speed-to-target to help address cruise missile and UAS threats emerging in recent conflicts.
What they’re saying:
- Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems: “Our scalable production approach is designed to provide a reliable, affordable layer of defence against a range of aerial threats to protect the warfighter with practical, dependable capability when it matters most.”
- Jim Bryan, executive director of Boeing Integrated Air and Missile Defense: “We welcome the opportunity to continue in this competition. By combining proven seeker expertise with a purpose-built interceptor, we are delivering thoughtful, effective advances in air and missile defense that meet mission needs.”
Source: Boeing
