MDA awards $75M to Long Wall for low-cost, midcourse interceptor testing

Artist's depiction of Long Wall's Cyclops low cost interceptor (Long Wall)

WASHINGTON — The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded California-based startup Long Wall $75 million to complete testing of its self-funded Cyclops low-cost interceptor designed to strike enemy missiles midway through their flight, the company announced today.

“I think it’s a first of its kind award in long-range missile defense, and a substantive commitment,” Long Wall Founder Dan Piedmont told Breaking Defense.

Long Wall officially was established in February 2025 as a rebranding of the former launch firm ABL Space Systems, with a narrow focus on missile defense.

The company unveiled the liquid-fueled Cyclops in December 2025, touting it as the first exo-atmospheric interceptor designed to be mass produced. Long Wall’s website explains that the interceptor can fit in a shipping container, and thus be launched either from the ground or from a sea-based platform. In addition, the company stresses it is largely using commercial off-the-shelf components and technology, including 3D printing, in Cyclops production.

According to the press release, the company over the past two years has invested its own capital in developing the interceptor and will continue to do so as part of the MDA contract.

“Throughout the period of performance, Long Wall will invest an additional $75 million at private expense to continue Cyclops design and development,” the release said.

The company referred a question about the duration of the contract to MDA, which did not respond by press time to a query from Breaking Defense.

While the Cyclops is a midcourse interceptor like the currently deployed Ground-Based Interceptor built by Northrop Grumman, MDA also is exploring low-cost options for destroying enemy missiles after they have reentered the atmosphere and are closer to their targets. The agency in August awarded X-Bow Systems a contract work almost $11 million to flight test its solid fuel low-cost interceptor as a potential alternative to the Army’s arsenal of Patriot missiles.