Ground Based Interceptor (GBI)

[Scott Kenny]

Trident motors use class 1.1 propellants and are made with a mixture of HMX, nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose to go along with the AP and aluminum. The one mile safety distance was only for viewing the 3rd stages. 1st and 2nd stages had a significantly longer safe viewing distance.

Time from seeing the detonation to arrival of sound/shockwave from a trio of C4 second stages and a D5 first stage was still right at 5sec.

 

[Byeman]

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 Vandenberg silos were reused over and over for test launches

 

[Forest Green]

https://www.defensenews.com/air-war...twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tw_dfn

 

[Forest Green]

https://www.defensenews.com/pentago...twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tw_dfn

 

[bobbymike]

https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06...rst-time/?mc_cid=dea2cf78d6&mc_eid=307947a252

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.defensenews.com/pentago...fy26-budget-targets-homeland-missile-defense/

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1992312497617936646

View: https://x.com/WarshipCam/status/1992312497617936646?s=20

 

[Sferrin]

Insert wurdz.

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1998900434745045252

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020837829400555856

View: https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/2020837829400555856?s=20

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2061512404303798629

View: https://x.com/LMNews/status/2061512404303798629?s=20

Lockheed Martin Opens Next Generation Interceptor Facility in Courtland, Alabama
https://news.lockheedmartin.com/202...on-Interceptor-Facility-in-Courtland,-Alabama

Lockheed Opens Scalable Factory to Build Next Generation Interceptor​

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/lockheed-opens-scalable-facility-next-generation-interceptor/

The Missile Defense Agency awarded the company a $17 billion contract in 2024 to develop and deliver 20 NGI interceptors, which will replace the existing Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System with a modern network of radars, interceptors, and other equipment. Caldwell declined to discuss the potential production capacity of the new facility or the potential growth rate, but said the company “anticipate that there will be a request for increased production rate, and we’re prepared to do that in a timely manner.”

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2086928753993637965

View: https://x.com/L3HarrisTech/status/2086928753993637965?s=20

L3Harris Conducts Successful Hot-Fire Test in Major Milestone for Next Generation Interceptor Program​

https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/p...hot-fire-test-next-generation-interceptor-ngi

The hot-fire test validated the system’s design integrity, as the SRM ignited and completed a full-duration burn, which provided valuable data to analyze performance characteristics ahead of advanced testing later this year. Engineers conducted the test in a simulated high-altitude, vacuum environment to evaluate system performance in the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere.

L3Harris is the primary propulsion and control systems provider for NGI, producing both the stage one and stage two advanced large solid rocket motors that boost the missile, as well as the Attitude Control System (ACS) and Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS).The ACS and DACS systems enable precise maneuvering and engagement capabilities critical to intercepting advanced threats.

 

[NMaude]

I suppose with this successful test then the next series of tests will involve actual test-flights?