Army to hold industry day on missile interceptor capability for IFPC

The Army will hold an industry day to explore a second interceptor capability as part of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability system, according to a public announcement.

Issued as a request for information, the Army wants to see what industry has to develop an interceptor that will use open system architecture that will “establish lethal kinetic effects” against rockets and cruise missiles.

“The new interceptor requires future capability growth with minimal levels of system redesign to address Objective level threat sets,” the announcement adds.

“The IFPC Inc 2 Program Office is currently projecting a 2nd Interceptor competitive award in FY25. The Program Office plans on taking selected vendor(s) through a technology demonstration in the FY26 – FY27 timeframe. The Government intends to award a development, qualification, and test effort following this demonstration.”

Designed to protect high value military sites, the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) mobile ground-based system consists of an interceptor and launcher that are designed to defeat cruise missiles, drones, rockets and artillery.

The system will also use the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command system and integrate the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar as its sensor, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Last October, Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer for missiles and space, said that low-rate initial production for the system would be delayed.

According to budget documents, the IFPC Inc 2 system will cost $546 million from Fiscal Year 2021-24.

In addition to kinetic effects, the Army will also pursue high-powered lasers and microwaves capabilities, the budget documents read.

The Army will hold an industry day on Thursday, Feb. 8 and intends on awarding a contract in fiscal year 2025.