- The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin an agreement to develop the IFPC 2nd Interceptor under the OTA framework.
- The interceptor will bridge the gap between short-range defenses and the Patriot system as part of a layered missile defense strategy.
The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin an Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) 2nd Interceptor project agreement to advance the service’s layered air and missile defense network.
According to Lockheed Martin, the program will provide an integrated air and missile defense solution to bridge the operational gap between short-range air defense systems and the Patriot missile system. The new interceptor will form part of the Army’s broader Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) architecture, aimed at delivering flexible protection against a spectrum of aerial threats.
“We are honored to have been selected by the U.S. Army for this critical program,” said Randy Crites, Vice President of Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The IFPC 2nd Interceptor agreement demonstrates the Army’s confidence in our ability to deliver innovative, effective and sustainable solutions that meet their evolving needs. This is representative of our industry leadership in IAMD capabilities that work for any objective. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with the Army and supporting their mission to protect our nation and its interests.”
Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin will lead development, production, and delivery of the IFPC 2nd Interceptor. The company said the program reflects years of internal investment in advanced technologies and 21st Century Security capabilities designed to counter emerging aerial and missile threats.
The IFPC 2nd Interceptor is intended to serve as a flexible, networked system capable of intercepting cruise missiles, drones, and other precision threats beyond the reach of short-range systems. It will integrate with the Army’s IAMD command-and-control architecture, enabling real-time coordination with sensors and launchers deployed across multiple echelons.
Lockheed Martin said the new system will strengthen the Army’s layered defense structure, providing commanders with scalable options for force protection. The company’s experience across programs such as Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3), THAAD, and Aegis will support development and integration of the new interceptor.
The agreement also includes collaboration with AeroVironment, a U.S. firm known for its missile and unmanned systems expertise. Lockheed Martin said the partnership will help expand innovation and accelerate system maturity as the Army moves to field the new interceptor capability.