- Boeing has partnered with Anduril Industries to compete for the U.S. Army’s IFPC Increment 2 Second Interceptor program, with Anduril supplying the solid rocket motor.
- Boeing received an OTA agreement on Dec. 5 to develop a medium-range interceptor intended to address cruise missile and drone threats.
Boeing has partnered with Anduril Industries in a bid to develop a future air defense interceptor for the U.S. Army, as the service moves forward with plans to address emerging aerial threats through its Integrated Fires Protection Capability program.
According to a press release from Anduril Industries, the company will provide the solid rocket motor for Boeing’s medium-range interceptor offering under the U.S. Army’s Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 Second Interceptor competition. The effort is aimed at filling a gap between existing short- and long-range air defense systems.
Boeing was awarded an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Project Agreement on Dec. 5 to develop the new midrange interceptor. The agreement is part of the Army’s effort to improve defenses against emerging aerial threats, including cruise missiles and militarized drones.
As noted by the companies, the Boeing–Anduril team intends to offer what it describes as an affordable and capable solution designed to counter low-flying, mid-range threats that are increasingly challenging existing air defense architectures. The interceptor is intended to complement, rather than replace, current short- and long-range systems already in service.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to forming innovative, disruptive and agile industry teams that deliver new capabilities to warfighters sooner,” said Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems. “We’re confident that this partnership will result in a novel solution that helps meet the Army’s evolving air defense needs.”
Anduril executives framed the collaboration as a way to expand domestic propulsion capacity while supporting Army modernization goals. “Boeing and Anduril are partnering to deliver a critical, scalable rocket motor systems capability for the U.S. Army,” said Burhan Muzaffar, senior vice president at Anduril Industries. “This partnership is a major step forward in strengthening the industrial base and ensuring our warfighters receive the reliable, modern capabilities they need.”
The IFPC Increment 2 Second Interceptor is designed to integrate with existing Army air and missile defense systems. The Army has said the interceptor should improve layered defenses by adding a medium-range option that can address threats operating between the engagement envelopes of current systems.
The U.S. Army has stated that IFPC Increment 2 is expected to deliver a more flexible and cost-aware approach to air and missile defense in future combat environments. The service plans for the interceptor to work alongside existing sensors, command-and-control networks, and launch systems rather than requiring an entirely new architecture.
According to the Army’s timeline, the service tentatively plans to select companies to advance to the prototype stage of the competition in 2026. Those selected would then move into further development and testing to determine whether their solutions meet operational requirements.
The competition comes as the Army continues to face pressure to adapt its air defense posture to a growing range of aerial threats. Low-cost drones, cruise missiles, and other mid-range systems have featured prominently in recent conflicts, prompting renewed focus on layered defense concepts that balance capability, cost, and production capacity.