Air Defense

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI)

Also known as
  • NGI

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) is Lockheed Martin's planned homeland ballistic missile interceptor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. The program moved from competing 2021 development awards to a 2024 Lockheed Martin downselect and a 2026 Courtland production facility, with public sources emphasizing multiple kill vehicles, solid-rocket propulsion, in-flight communications upgrades, and schedule risk around the original 2028 fielding target.

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), Ground-launched ballistic missile interceptor, Air Defense
Image source: Lockheed Martin NGI product page

Role in Conflicts

2015 Various Conflicts
Side
Unconfirmed conflict context

Official sources describe NGI as Lockheed Martin's homeland ballistic missile interceptor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, but no combat use is publicly documented.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Ground-launched ballistic missile interceptor
Service note
2021-present development program
Designer
Lockheed Martin
Designed
2021
Unit cost
Not publicly disclosed
Produced
Production facility opened 2026; interceptor still in development
Number built
Not publicly disclosed

Specifications

Role
Homeland ballistic missile interceptor
Architecture
Open-system, tip-to-tail all-up-round design
Kill vehicles
Multiple kill vehicles and multi-object kill vehicle technology
Propulsion supplier
L3Harris provides large solid rocket motors, DACS, and ACS for the Lockheed Martin NGI team
Intercept method
Hit-to-kill exo-atmospheric interception
Launch infrastructure
Current GBI silo infrastructure at Ft. Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg AFB, California
In-flight communications
Planned Phased Array IFICS Data Terminal retrofits support NGI continuous communications and target-scene data
Upgrade path
Modular design allows in-silo upgrades without removing the missile
Fielding target
Original IOC target no later than Q4 FY2028; 2025 reporting described an expected 18-month or greater delay
Parent Defense Architecture

NGI is not a standalone fielded battery; public sources describe it as the next interceptor path inside the Ground-based Midcourse Defense homeland-defense system.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Ground-based Midcourse Defense, Ground-based ballistic missile defense system, Air DefenseGround-based Midcourse DefenseHomeland ballistic missile defense system

Lockheed Martin describes NGI as a tip-to-tail interceptor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, while GAO describes the program as the Defense Department's effort to improve GMD against increasingly capable ballistic-missile threats.

Sources: Lockheed Martin NGI product page, GAO NGI Program Report

Timeline

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) Key Events

  1. Lockheed Martin wins the NGI development contract

    MDA selected Lockheed Martin and partner Aerojet Rocketdyne in the competitive downselect phase, starting the $3.7 billion development and demonstration effort for NGI.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin Awarded $3.7 Billion to Modernize Key Missile Defense Mission

  2. NGI clears system requirements review

    Lockheed Martin said MDA approved NGI's system requirements review six months after the initial award, clearing the program for initial system design.

    Sources: Next Generation Interceptor Program Achieves Critical System Requirements Review

  3. Lockheed Martin selected to continue NGI work

    MDA selected Lockheed Martin to continue NGI development through critical design review, qualification, integration into GMD, and flight testing.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin NGI selection release

  4. MDA describes NGI schedule pressure

    Defense News reported MDA testimony that solid-rocket-motor development and funding priorities were expected to delay initial NGI capability by at least 18 months from a previous Q4 FY2028 IOC schedule.

    Sources: Defense News NGI delay report

  5. Lockheed Martin opens the Courtland NGI facility

    Lockheed Martin opened Missile Assembly Building 5 in Courtland, Alabama to produce NGI for MDA and expand advanced manufacturing capacity.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin Opens Next Generation Interceptor Facility in Courtland, Alabama

  6. MDA's original fielding target

    GAO reported that the Department of Defense needed to begin fielding NGI by 2028 to address increasingly capable ballistic missile threats; later public reporting described schedule delay risk.

    Sources: GAO NGI Program Report, Defense News NGI delay report

Design And Production Notes

NGI is still a development and production-ramp program, so the public record is strongest on architecture, integration, and manufacturing preparations rather than battlefield employment.

Mission

Homeland defense against long-range ballistic-missile threats as part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system.

Interceptor Design

A tip-to-tail all-up round with multiple kill vehicles and exo-atmospheric hit-to-kill engagement.

Propulsion And Control

L3Harris identifies its NGI role as providing large solid rocket motors, the Divert and Attitude Control System, and the Attitude Control System.

Launch Footprint

The 2021 award release described NGI as launching from current GBI silo infrastructure at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg AFB, California.

Communications Retrofit

The FY2025 MDA procurement justification says Phased Array IFICS Data Terminal retrofits enable continuous NGI communications and additional target-scene information.

Schedule

GAO reported a 2028 fielding need, while 2025 MDA testimony reported by Defense News described an expected 18-month or greater delay to initial capability.

Manufacturing

Lockheed Martin opened the 88,000-square-foot Missile Assembly Building 5 in Courtland, Alabama on June 1, 2026 to produce NGI for MDA.

Sources: Lockheed Martin Awarded $3.7 Billion to Modernize Key Missile Defense Mission; L3Harris NGI propulsion page; MDA FY2025 Ground Based Midcourse procurement justification; Defense News NGI delay report; Lockheed Martin Opens Next Generation Interceptor Facility in Courtland, Alabama; GAO NGI Program Report.

Media

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) Videos

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) Images

Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), Ground-launched ballistic missile interceptor, Air Defense - view 1
Source: Lockheed Martin NGI product page
Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), Ground-launched ballistic missile interceptor, Air Defense - view 2
Source: Lockheed Martin NGI product page
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Sources

Lockheed Martin NGI product pagePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports NGI's official product description as a tip-to-tail interceptor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, its extensible upgradable architecture, and product imagery. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Lockheed Martin Awarded $3.7 Billion to Modernize Key Missile Defense MissionPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the March 23, 2021 NGI development and demonstration award, GMD modernization context, all-up-round / booster / hit-to-kill details, use of current GBI silo infrastructure, and early program significance. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Next Generation Interceptor Program Achieves Critical System Requirements ReviewPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the October 5, 2021 NGI system requirements review milestone and the program's initial design progression. | Accessed: 2026-07-04GAO NGI Program ReportPublisher: U.S. Government Accountability Office | Note: Supports NGI mission, GMD integration, new booster and multiple-kill-vehicle design, 2024 Lockheed downselect, 2028 planned fielding context, and GAO schedule/risk caveats. It does not document combat use. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Lockheed Martin NGI selection releasePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the April 15, 2024 selection of Lockheed Martin as NGI prime contractor and the official in-flight rendering used for the page. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Lockheed Martin Opens Next Generation Interceptor Facility in Courtland, AlabamaPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the June 1, 2026 opening of Missile Assembly Building 5 in Courtland, Alabama, NGI production context, the open-system modular architecture description, and the in-silo upgrade language. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Defense News NGI delay reportPublisher: Defense News | Note: Supports reported MDA testimony that NGI initial capability was expected to slip by 18 months or more from a previous no-later-than-Q4-FY2028 IOC schedule, with solid-rocket-motor development cited as the leading risk. | Accessed: 2026-07-04L3Harris NGI propulsion pagePublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports L3Harris as the Lockheed Martin team's NGI propulsion provider and identifies the large solid rocket motors, Divert and Attitude Control System, and Attitude Control System component roles. | Accessed: 2026-07-04MDA FY2025 Ground Based Midcourse procurement justificationPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense Comptroller | Note: Supports Phased Array IFICS Data Terminal retrofit context for NGI continuous communications, additional target-scene information, situational awareness, and engagement-management support. | Accessed: 2026-07-04