One Of These Missiles Is Set To Be The Army’s Next Mid-Tier Anti-Air Interceptor

Live updates

1. 7h ago

   Army Advances Boeing-Anduril Mid-Tier Interceptor for IFPC Competition

   The U.S. Army has progressed the Boeing-Anduril team in the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 competition. This mid-tier interceptor aims to neutralize drones and cruise missiles while maintaining magazine depth. In related procurement, the Army awarded Lockheed a $1.2 billion contract for the PrSM Increment 2 system following a successful missile launch in February. These efforts occur as the military faces criticism over drone adoption and warnings from the Congressional Research Service that the XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle may lack necessary organic counter-UAS defenses.

   Why it matters

   The IFPC program seeks to fill a gap in mid-tier air defense to protect ground forces from evolving aerial threats. This procurement is part of a broader modernization strategy to ensure survivability against loitering munitions and cruise missiles. Concurrent developments include the deployment of space-based weapons to counter adversaries.

   What is confirmed

   • The U.S. Army advanced Boeing-Anduril in the IFPC Second Interceptor competition to counter cruise missiles and drones.
   • Lockheed received a $1.2 billion contract for the PrSM Increment 2 system.
   • The U.S. military has deployed weapons in orbit to defend the joint force.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle may lack organic counter-UAS defenses.
   • The Army may be backing off on scaling drone adoption.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the low-cost interceptor shoot-off scheduled for November.
   • Army response to the Congressional Research Service warnings regarding XM30 drone protection.
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. www.armyrecognition.com — U.S. Army Advances Boeing-Anduril Mid-Tier Interceptor to Counter Cruise Missiles and Drones.
   2. www.cfr.org — Is the U.S. Army Backing Off on Drones?
   3. arstechnica.com — For the first time, the US military confirms it has deployed weapons in orbit
   4. breakingdefense.com — Army awards Lockheed $1.2B contract for PrSM Inc 2 system
   5. www.armyrecognition.com — U.S. Army New XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Could Face Critical Counter-Drone Protection Gap.
   6. www.usatoday.com — US says for 1st time it now has weapons in space. What we know (so far)
   7. www.scientificamerican.com — It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space
   confidence 90%
2. 2d ago

   Army Advances Teams For Next Phase Of Anti-Air Interceptor Competition

   The United States Army has selected Lockheed and a Boeing-Anduril team for the next phase of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 competition. The ongoing effort aims to find the military's next mid-tier anti-air interceptor. Meanwhile, the Army is also eyeing a November shoot-off for low-cost interceptors and plans to give industry multiple bites at that specific effort. These initiatives address modern defense needs against diverse aerial threats, guiding future procurement and deployment schedules for ground forces.

   Why it matters

   The service is actively modernizing its short and medium-range air defense architecture to counter emerging threats like cruise missiles and drones. Selecting competitive industry teams allows the military to evaluate multiple technical approaches before making final acquisition choices. Upcoming testing milestones will help determine the most cost-effective and capable interceptors for operational deployment.

   What is confirmed

   • The Army selected Lockheed and a Boeing-Anduril team for the next phase in the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 competition.
   • The Boeing and Anduril midrange interceptor advanced in the U.S. Army competition.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Army plans to give industry multiple bites at the low-cost interceptor effort.
   • One of the competing missiles is set to be the Army's next mid-tier anti-air interceptor.

   What to watch next

   • The November shoot-off for low-cost interceptors.
   • Further announcements regarding the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 competition.
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. breakingdefense.com — Army selects Lockheed, Boeing-Anduril team for next phase in IFPC Inc 2 competition
   2. The Boeing Company — Boeing, Anduril midrange interceptor advances in U.S. Army competition
   3. twz.com — One Of These Missiles Is Set To Be The Army’s Next Mid-Tier Anti-Air Interceptor
   4. Bloomberg.com — US Army Eyes November ‘Shoot-Off’ for Low-Cost Interceptors
   5. Defense Daily — Army Plans To Give Industry ‘Multiple Bites’ At Low-Cost Interceptor Effort, Official Says
   confidence 100%