Northrop submits final proposal revision

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 7 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman says it has submitted its final proposal revision for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's next-generation Aegis Missile.

The new interceptor is a key element of the layered intercontinental ballistic missile defense of the United States 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 for the interceptor early this year and plans to field the weapon 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," he said.

Details of Northrop's proposal weren't disclosed.