'Disruptive' missile defense technologies sought

The Missile Defense Agency is asking industry for ideas on potential "disruptive technologies," seeking white papers by the end of June on new ways to improve defending against ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missile threats.

In an April 20 request for information, MDA announced it is "seeking innovative solutions from commercial and defense industries, to develop new designs, adapt existing technologies in other fields, or re-design existing capabilities to fulfill our needs."

The RFI explicitly encourages non-traditional missile defense contractors to propose ideas.

"A disruptive technology could be an existing or a demonstrated capability already under development for commercial or military industrial use that could be adapted to provide a solution to MDA’s capability gaps," the solicitation states.