Northrop Grumman approved for NGI target vehicle production

In October, Northrop Grumman and MDA successfully completed the CDR. Additionally, they conducted a combined System Requirements Review (SRR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) - a first-time approach designed to streamline development timelines.

To meet the demanding schedule, Northrop Grumman proactively procured all necessary hardware for the target vehicles, initiated qualification testing before the CDR, and began system-level avionics testing immediately afterward.

Robin Heard, director of targets at Northrop Grumman, explained: "Through executing with speed and building for the future, MBRV-11 is a paradigm shift in the way we partner with MDA to develop new programs. Our deep mission experience enabled us to compress the development timeline by combining the SRR and PDR, begin qualification testing ahead of CDR and quickly transition into production to meet the customer's need for an early operational capability."

The MBRV-11 features a baseline vehicle design complemented by four optional enhancement kits that offer flexible capabilities for various mission requirements. This advanced design will be integrated onto Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) platforms to simulate the sophisticated missile threats NGI aims to counter. The contract includes five vehicles designated for five missile defense test demonstrations, with the first flight test scheduled for 2027.

Built on flight-proven hardware and software designs, Northrop Grumman's MBRV-11 leverages common system architectures and heritage avionics to adhere to the aggressive development and production schedule. Furthermore, MDA awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to upgrade its IRBM and ICBM target vehicles, integrating them with the MBRV-11. This development positions Northrop Grumman as the comprehensive provider for missile defense targets, encompassing payloads and boost vehicles. The program also aligns with MDA's IMTP, supporting ground tests, flight tests, warfighter training, and command exercise events.

Northrop Grumman has been a leader in providing threat-representative target vehicles for testing and verifying the nation's missile defense systems. By combining advanced avionics, adaptable vehicle enhancement kits, and innovative payloads with expertise in solid rocket motors, the company efficiently configures target vehicles to replicate complex adversary threats. Since 2011, Northrop Grumman has delivered 25 IRBM and ICBM target vehicles, enabling 10 successful missile defense demonstrations.