Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $17 billion contract to develop the next generation of interceptors that would guard the United States against an intercontinental ballistic missile attack, two industry sources briefed on the matter told Reuters.
Both Lockheed and the Missile Defense Agency declined to comment.
The sources did not indicate the length of the contract, but the first interceptor is expected to be operational in 2028.
The NGI is currently in its technology development phase and will transition to its product development phase in May, according to written testimony submitted by the head of the Missile Defense Agency, Lieutenant General Heath Collins, last week.
The United States then decided to restart the contract process to gather bids on designing the whole interceptor including the "kill vehicle."
Persons:
Lockheed Martin, Walter E, General Heath Collins, Collins, Northrop Grumman
Organizations:
Lockheed, Astronautical, Washington Convention Center, Reuters, Army, Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, U.S . Missile Defense Agency, Defense, Missile Defense Agency, Pentagon, Boeing
Locations:
Washington , DC, United States, North Korea, Iran, U.S