Ground Based Interceptor (GBI)

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766276221573153141

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1766276221573153141?s=20

 

[NMaude]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766276221573153141

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1766276221573153141?s=20

Are there any links or other such information on these NG rocket-motors and the NGI booster stack?

 

[Calphor]

Are there any links or other such information on these NG rocket-motors and the NGI booster stack?

Considering that there is still a competition between NG and Lockheed for NGI, you are unlikely to get any information on the specifics of either the rocket motors or stack for either competitor until after the downselect happens.

 

[NMaude]

you are unlikely to get any information on the specifics of either the rocket motors or stack for either competitor until after the downselect happens.

Since this will be a replacement for the GBI missile I assume the NGI missile Will have the same exterior dimensions so that it can fit into the GBI launch silos?

 

[Forest Green]

Since this will be a replacement for the GBI missile I assume the NGI missile Will have the same exterior dimensions so that it can fit into the GBI launch silos?

Unless they've gone mobile, which I certainly wouldn't object to.

 

[Moose]

Still getting used to composite SRM stages becoming mainstream.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Since this will be a replacement for the GBI missile I assume the NGI missile Will have the same exterior dimensions so that it can fit into the GBI launch silos?

I expect it to use the same silos, though isn't GBI hot launched so the silo is a lot bigger than the missile itself?

Meaning that they could bump diameter a little bit and still be compatible with the GBI silos.

 

[Forest Green]

Thwarting America's Enemies | Northrop Grumman

The Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system is our country’s top defense against these types of threats; GMD uses a network of land, sea and space-based early warning sensors and fields of ground-based interceptor (GBI) missiles in Alaska and California to...

www.northropgrumman.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1777660272322224469

View: https://x.com/northropgrumman/status/1777660272322224469

 

[Forest Green]

MDA awards Lockheed $4.1B contract to upgrade battle command system

The new upgrades to the C2BMC system include enabling it to safely pass data between allies and partners globally and connect to space sensors.

www.defensenews.com

 

[bobbymike]

Lockheed chosen to build new homeland missile defense interceptor

Missile Defense Agency has chosen Lockheed Martin to build the Next-Generation Interceptor that will replace current ones in its homeland defense system.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1782521986251358575

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1782521986251358575

 

[sferrin]

Still getting used to composite SRM stages becoming mainstream.

They've been using them in missiles since the 60s.

"The Poseidon first stage employed a Thiokol/Hercules solid-fueled engine, while the second stage employed a Hercules solid-fueled engine. Both stages were contained in glass filament-wound casings, and each was maneuvered by a single gimbaled exhaust nozzle."

Sprint ABM:

 

[Forest Green]

Lockheed Martin hands over advanced radar system to Missile Defense Agency

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 24, 2024 - The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) at Clear Space Force Station in Clear, Alaska, has completed its final acceptance stage, known as DD250, and was officially transferred to the Missile Defe

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Systems Command Completes Key Software Upgrade for OPIR Monitoring at FORGE

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 26, 2024 - On April 26, 2024, Space Systems Command's Space Sensing program executive office, based at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, facilitated the initial software deployment to opera

www.spacewar.com

The FORGE capability architecture is crucial in providing OPIR (Overhead Persistent Infrared) data to operational warfighters and underpins the U.S. Space Force's shift towards a resilient missile warning, tracking, and defense architecture.

 

[bobbymike]

Aerojet Rocketdyne to be Propulsion Provider for the Next Ge

Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) company, will be the propulsion provider for the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Next Generation Interce

www.asdnews.com

 

[Forest Green]

Interesting historical document on basing options:

https://minutemanmissile.com/documents/GroundBasedMidcourseDefenseOperationsFONSI.pdf

 

[Forest Green]

Showdown Brewing Over Ballistic Missile Interceptor Site On East Coast

Congress wants a new interceptor site at Fort Drum, but the Biden Administrations says Alaska and California sites are enough.

www.twz.com

 

[Forest Green]

Space Force analyzing next-gen missile warning/tracking, NC3 options - Breaking Defense

Col. Robert Davis, program executive officer for SSC's Space Sensing Directorate, told the National Security Space Association today that the SWAC study might affect how follow-on satellites are designed and, perhaps, hardened to radiation.

breakingdefense.com

Space Force mulling nuclear protection for missile-tracking satellites

The study could drive changes to future tranches of Space Development Agency and Space Systems Command satellites.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1821029338021818548

 

[bobbymike]

Build an ICBM target how about an ICBM.

 

[Forest Green]

Major progress reported in Next-Gen OPIR Missile Warning Program

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/defense-against-hypersonic-glide-vehicles.31281/post-706918

 

[Scott Kenny]

Build an ICBM target how about an ICBM.

I'm sure the US has some about-to-expire Tridents and Minutemen available to use... Though I think the MM are kinda hard on their silo with the hot launch.

 

[Forest Green]

I'm sure the US has some about-to-expire Tridents and Minutemen available to use... Though I think the MM are kinda hard on their silo with the hot launch.

The new target vehicle will use an SR119 Peacekeeper motor.

Northrop Grumman enhances ICBM Target Vehicle with digital redesign

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 01, 2024 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is undertaking a significant redesign of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target vehicle for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The upgraded desi

www.spacewar.com

 

[Forest Green]

Northrop Grumman Cleared for Production of NGI Target Vehicle

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Jan. 9, 2025 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is developing the Modified Ballistic Re-Entry Vehicle-11 (MBRV-11) supporting the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP) to test the Next Generation...

news.northropgrumman.com

Northrop Grumman approved for NGI target vehicle production

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 15, 2025 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has secured approval to advance the production of the Modified Ballistic Re-Entry Vehicle-11 (MBRV-11), a critical component supporting the Missile Defense A

www.spacewar.com

 

[bobbymike]

'First, we will defend the homeland': The case for homeland missile defense

A comprehensive analysis of US homeland missile defense, addressing policies, security challenges, and strategies to counter threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

 

[Forest Green]

Bit about new MKV programs at the end.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lah98p1PbgQ

 

[A Tentative Fleet Plan]

Zach (@thrustwr.bsky.social)

Seems like MDA environmental assessment report on NGI deployment/testing at Vandenberg and Fort Greely is out: www.mda.mil/system/NGI/ deeper look at current maximum assessments for the system include 12 KVs per missile (vs 1 on GBI), and a much taller/heavier design (at minimum).

bsky.app

Seems like MDA environmental assessment report on NGI deployment/testing at Vandenberg and Fort Greely is out: www.mda.mil/system/NGI/ deeper look at current maximum assessments for the system include 12 KVs per missile (vs 1 on GBI), and a much taller/heavier design (at minimum).

Full Environment Assessment can be found at the following link: https://www.mda.mil/system/NGI/

The document in question is too large to upload here.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Zach (@thrustwr.bsky.social)

Seems like MDA environmental assessment report on NGI deployment/testing at Vandenberg and Fort Greely is out: www.mda.mil/system/NGI/ deeper look at current maximum assessments for the system include 12 KVs per missile (vs 1 on GBI), and a much taller/heavier design (at minimum).

bsky.app

View attachment 760842
View attachment 760843
View attachment 760844

Full Environment Assessment can be found at the following link: https://www.mda.mil/system/NGI/

The document in question is too large to upload here.

Class 1.3? comparable to smokeless powder?!?

 

[NMaude]

Class 1.3? comparable to smokeless powder?!?

If the solid-propellant contains powdered Aluminium it definitely won't be smokeless due to the Aluminium-Oxide present in the exhaust.

 

[Forest Green]

Zach (@thrustwr.bsky.social)

Seems like MDA environmental assessment report on NGI deployment/testing at Vandenberg and Fort Greely is out: www.mda.mil/system/NGI/ deeper look at current maximum assessments for the system include 12 KVs per missile (vs 1 on GBI), and a much taller/heavier design (at minimum).

bsky.app

Full Environment Assessment can be found at the following link: https://www.mda.mil/system/NGI/

The document in question is too large to upload here.

..designed to propel multiple KVs..

...up to 12...

 

[TomS]

Class 1.3? comparable to smokeless powder?!?

Sounds right. Solid rocket motors with polybutadiene binders are Class 1.3 -- they will burn rapidly and intensely but not usually detonate without a lot of extra effort. They are also generally shock-insensitive.

For a comparable example, the Shuttle SRBs were Class 1.3.

 

[NMaude]

they will burn rapidly and intensely but not usually detonate without a lot of extra effort. They are also generally shock-insensitive.

So good for long term storage in a controlled environment such as a silo?

 

[TomS]

So good for long term storage in a controlled environment such as a silo?

The explosive class doesn't say much about long-term storage. It's mainly about transport risk.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Sounds right. Solid rocket motors with polybutadiene binders are Class 1.3 -- they will burn rapidly and intensely but not usually detonate without a lot of extra effort. They are also generally shock-insensitive.

For a comparable example, the Shuttle SRBs were Class 1.3.

Okay, but I was anticipating a fuel a lot more energetic than Ammonium Perchlorate. Like CL-20 levels of energetic. Though I somehow doubt that CL-20 is Class 1.3.

 

[TomS]

Okay, but I was anticipating a fuel a lot more energetic than Ammonium Perchlorate. Like CL-20 levels of energetic. Though I somehow doubt that CL-20 is Class 1.3.

Surprise, CL-20 is Class 1.3. It's less shock sensitive than HMX. It burns but does not detonate unless deliberately initiated.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Surprise, CL-20 is Class 1.3. It's less shock sensitive than HMX. It burns but does not detonate unless deliberately initiated.

Dafuq?

That grinding sound yall just heard was my paradigm missing a shift.

 

[Forest Green]

Surprise, CL-20 is Class 1.3. It's less shock sensitive than HMX. It burns but does not detonate unless deliberately initiated.

Unspent fuel probably gives an added bang on impact.

 

[TomS]

Dafuq?

That grinding sound yall just heard was my paradigm missing a shift.

Just remember that Hazard classes are all about transportation safety, not energy content. CL-20 is a generally safe product to drive around with, especially compared to HMX/RDX-based stuff, despite being more energetic. The downsides are that it is harder to make and deteriorates quicker than more conventional energetics.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Unspent fuel probably gives an added bang on impact.

Just a little.

But I'd assume that any solid rocket does. I've seen videos of Trident motors getting decommissioned. Ho Lee Fuk that is a BIG badaboom. ~1mile/5sec safety distance!

 

[Forest Green]

Just a little.

But I'd assume that any solid rocket does. I've seen videos of Trident motors getting decommissioned. Ho Lee Fuk that is a BIG badaboom. ~1mile/5sec safety distance!

CL-20 has an RE of 1.9 though.