Raytheon clears Glide Phase Interceptor prototype milestone, eyeing preliminary design review

Raytheon Missiles and Defense announced that its version of the sea-based Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) completed the systems requirements review – prototype (SRR-P) benchmark in mid-September.

In June, the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) selected Northrop Grumman and Raytheon to continue developing GPI technology to defend against hypersonic weapons. Each company received a USD41.4 million contract modification that covers work till mid-February 2023, to include the SRR-P.

Patrick Hollen, with Strategic Missile Defense Requirements and Capabilities at Raytheon Missiles and Defense, told Janes the MDA conducted this multiday review the week of September 12. This “successful” completion will potentially lead to a preliminary design review and a critical design review of the prototype, but a definitive schedule has not been finalised, Hollen said.

“The preliminary design review is dependent on many factors like scheduling of the government and desires of the government, money allocated in the FYDP [Future Years Defense Program], [and] those types of things,” he added during a 21 September interview.

For now, the company is continuing to work with the agency on GPI prototype development, Hollen said.

Northrop Grumman had not responded to Janes questions about the status of its GPI prototype work, and the MDA had not responded to questions regarding the programme, at the time of publication.

During a pre-taped interview with Defense News, which aired on 12 August, MDA Director Vice Admiral Jon Hill said MDA is “on path” to GPI system requirements’ review later in 2022. 

“It’s a pretty fast turn to get to the system requirements’ review and [we’re] early in that programme,” he added.