US developing Glide Phase Interceptor for countering hypersonic missiles

News, US December 23, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

United States defense manufacturer Raytheon Missile & Defense designed the first-of-its-kind Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) based on its Standard Missile system and add layers of defense to counter hypersonic missiles.

According to Raytheon Missile & Defense, the Glide Phase Interceptor will be able to defeat a new generation of hypersonic missiles that can travel more than five times the speed of sound and maneuver rapidly in flight.

The next-generation hypersonic interceptor will be integrated into the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Weapon System, which is a ship and shore-based defense system.

The GPI’s high speed, maneuverability, and ability to withstand extreme heat would it the first missile interceptor that can engage advanced threats, such as hypersonic missiles.

The president of Strategic Missile Defense at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tay Fitzgerald said that “The GPI concept employs a low-risk solution that uses proven Standard Missile technology already deployed on Aegis ships, while advancing critical technologies needed in the hypersonic environment.”

Fitzgerald further stressed that Raytheon Missile & Defense’s team is committed to “delivering this capability to the warfighter.”

According to the Raytheon release, “GPI will intercept hypersonic weapons in the glide phase of flight, which occurs once a missile has re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and is maneuvering toward its target. The initial development phase will focus on reducing technical risk, rapidly developing technology, and demonstrating the ability to intercept a hypersonic threat.”

*^{An artistic rendering represents two Glide Phase Interceptors deployed to defeat hypersonic threats. (Image Credit: Raytheon Missile & Defense)}*

GPI program director at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Julie Leeman, highlighted, “Our adversaries are already fielding hypersonic missiles, so the time to act is now. We have the technology today to be able to do this, and we have the ability to upgrade as the threat evolves and as technology evolves.”

In September this year, Raytheon Missiles & Defense successfully completed the Systems Requirements Review – Prototype for the Glide Phase Interceptor. The company’s statement highlighted that the new system will provide the U.S. and its allies with a regional layer of defense against hypersonic missile threats.

Last year, U.S. Missile Defense Agencies selected Raytheon Missile & Defense as one of the companies to develop and test the first hypersonic missile interceptor.