Next-Gen Aegis

Northrop Grumman has submitted its final proposal revision for the Missile Defense Agency's Next Generation Aegis Missile (NGAM) concept definition and program planning procurement effort, according to a company statement:

The new interceptor is a key element of the layered intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) defense of the nation and will be designed to engage intercontinental, intermediate-range and medium-range ballistic missile threats. MDA has said it plans to make multiple contract awards in early 2011 and plans to field the interceptor in the 2020 time frame.

"Northrop Grumman offers MDA an opportunity to put fresh, experienced eyes on the early ICBM intercept design challenge," said Duke Dufresne, sector vice president and general manager, Strike and Surveillance Systems Division for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "We bring extensive design, development, testing and manufacturing experience from our ICBM and Kinetic Energy Interceptor programs. We're joined by a team of industry experts who have been at the forefront of every ballistic missile defense hit-to-kill interceptor program, including terminal high-altitude area defense, standard missile and ground-based mid-course defense systems. Together, we offer the unique combination of interceptor experience and innovation to develop the next generation of ballistic missile defense interceptors."

Inside Missile Defense reported last September that MDA had identified $1.4 billion in the Pentagon's six-year budget plan for the NGAM program:

In answers to questions submitted to MDA after a July 29 industry day with agency Director Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, which were recently posted on Federal Business Opportunities, MDA writes that the $1.4 billion "figure that LTG O'Reilly mentioned was referring to the funding within MDA's POM12 budget for the Product Development Phase (covering years FY12-16). The number is a requested amount. No funds for FY-12 have been appropriated yet."

MDA anticipates contract awards for the NGAM program "in the second quarter of FY-11," the document states. When asked about the "technology maturation contact awards time line vs. the concept definition time line," MDA responds: "We intend to award additional technology maturation contracts in FY-11."

According to MDA's fiscal year 2012 budget request submitted last month, the agency allocated $225.6 million in FY-10, nearly $94 million in FY-11 and is asking Congress for $565 million in FY-12 for its overall Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program.