Missile defense remains one of the most technically demanding areas of modern warfare, often likened to “hitting a bullet with another bullet” because of the extraordinary speeds, altitudes, and precision required to successfully intercept an incoming missile. Until now, the development of U.S. missile interceptors has largely been concentrated among a relatively small number of established defense contractors. That landscape, however, is beginning to change as the U.S. military seeks to introduce more affordable systems and expand the industrial base supporting missile defense. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded New Mexico-based X-Bow Systems an $11 million Phase II contract to develop and flight-test the X-Bow Low-Cost Interceptor. The effort is being pursued under the Rapid Response Small Launcher Technology initiative, which is intended to accelerate the development of affordable, high-speed interceptors capable of addressing an evolving range of threats, including ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. The development represents an important step toward diversifying the U.S. missile-defense industrial base while pursuing lower-cost interceptor technologies.
Source: X – Bow: The $750,000 Missile Interceptor That Could Change U.S. Air Defense !
