A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA missile launches from the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, Dec. 10, 2018. (Defense.gov)
WASHINGTON — Pentagon overseers have given the Missile Defense Agency the green light to take the next step in developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), designed to shoot down hypersonic missiles before they begin the high-speed maneuvers that make them hard to engage, according to a senior MDA official.
Laura DeSimone, MDA executive director, told the Potomac Officers Club today that the Missile Defense Executive Board — led by Bill LaPlante, Defense Department acquisition czar, and Heidi Shyu, head of research and engineering — on April 21 signed off on initiation of GPI’s “technology development” phase.
“We have to mature multiple critical technologies to develop and deliver that weapons system, but it’s going to give us now the layered defensive approach that we’ve had for years with ballistic missiles to the hypersonic threat as well,” DeSimone said.
MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill foreshadowed the decision in a March 24 speech, explaining that while work up to now has been focused on modeling and analysis, the next phase of the program would involve building actual hardware.
DeSimone elaborated: “Our focus is going to be on maturing those critical technologies. And so those areas right now include the kill vehicle, divert attitude control system, materials, technology, seeker windows. And it’s not just the materials, right? We’re going to be looking at some development of new algorithms for the processing of what’s coming in through that window.”
As the name suggests, the GPI program is aimed at knocking down hypersonic missiles during the glide phase of flight when the hypersonic warhead is skimming space before it reenters the atmosphere — the longest phase of flight between launch and “terminal” phase. GPI will include new interceptors as well as modifications to the Aegis Weapon System needed to launch them. MDA in its fiscal 2024 budget request asked for $209 million for “early risk reduction” for GPI.
The agency has been attempting, without much success, to fast track development due to increasing worry from Pentagon officials and lawmakers about the hypersonic capabilities of China and Russia.
Rep. Doug Lamborn, chairman of the House Armed Services’ strategic forces subcommittee, grilled Hill about GPI’s slow pace during a hearing on April 18.
“The administration’s proposed budget does not get us even an initial capability for the Glide Phase Interceptor against hypersonics until around 2035. Only in Washington DC does a missile development program take 13 years,” Lamborn lamented.
According to one informed source following GPI development closely, lawmakers have been “frustrated” by Defense Department “slow rolling” of the program, with the completion date moving farther away as time has gone by. The planned delivery date “was 2028 several years ago,” the source said.
In November 2021, the agency announced other transaction agreements to Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to develop concepts for GPI. In June 2022, MDA down-selected Raytheon and Northrop Grumman to move into the next phase under contract modifications worth more than $41.4 million to continue developing their proposals, working through this February to develop digital prototypes for the hypersonic missile defense system.
Today DeSimone said MDA is working to pick up the pace.
“Industry has told us that they they think they can go faster, and we’re hopeful that we can accelerate the program. We’re also looking at potential partnerships to help us with some of the investments and the technology maturation phase,” she said.
“I think the onus is on us right now to deliver,” she added. “And if we are successful, and show the opportunity and high potential to accelerate the program, then we will bring that forward to the department, and I know Congress as well is going to be watching this very closely for opportunities to to accelerate.”
Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr. contributed to this report.
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