Naval Modular Missile Program (NMM)

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joshjosh

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The Navy Modular Missile Program (NMM) is a NAVSEA program for a future family of modular missiles for VLS:

July 7, 2021

Sam Acquisition 360

sam.gov sam.gov
The Navy’s Modular Missile (NMM) program’s objective is to design and develop a family of missiles with common components utilizing a newly defined shared and open systems architecture. NMM needs to 1) define open architecture standards to sub-assembly/component level and 2) transition its acquisition strategy to a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach. The key to this approach is for the US Navy to develop a Government Reference Architecture (GRA) which will define the system architecture. This acquisition strategy will enable the program to break the dependency on a single development contractor and allow more extensive competition at the subsystem/critical component level. The GRA will then guide and constrain the development of multiple solutions responsive to stakeholder requirements.
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September 25, 2025

Sam Acquisition 360

sam.gov sam.gov
Event Purpose:
The Industry Day will focus on introducing the NMM program, its acquisition strategy, and collaboration opportunities for industry partners. The goal is to identify performers to support the development of a dynamic, multi-mission Family Of Missiles (FOM) that will enhance naval lethality and operational flexibility.

About the Naval Modular Missile (NMM) Program:
The NMM program is a next-generation initiative designed to revolutionize surface naval capabilities through:
  • Multi-Mission Flexibility: A long-range hypersonic variant and scalable configurations to replace and enhance existing short-, medium-, and extended-range weapons.
  • Enhanced Capacity: Multiple weapons in a single launcher cell, improving fleet endurance and combat effectiveness.
  • Modular Open Architecture: A collaborative approach with the U.S. Air Force to establish an open government-reference architecture, enabling industry to develop and integrate best-of-breed solutions—from individual components to the All-Up Round.
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www.navalnews.com

U.S. Navy to Introduce Next-Generation Modular Missile Program - Naval News

The U.S. Navy's upcoming modular missile program aims to bring a series of next-generation munitions to the fleet's VLS cells.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com

Navy to introduce new 'Naval Modular Missile' requirement at October industry day | InsideDefense.com

The Navy plans to hold an industry day for a new missile program -- the Naval Modular Missile -- this fall, introducing industry to a next-generation initiative that will focus on multimission flexibility, enhanced capacity and a modular open architecture.
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
 
“A very capable” common front-end seems to scream JATM in the way the AMRAAM C seeker found its way on to SM-6 (and then back onto a Hornet with AIM-174B, which is where it started), but your references suggest the USN is laser focused on MBSE level granularity on every component against a true GRA.

It’s one thing to grow the rocket motor or propellant industrial base, quite another for advanced multimode seeker subsystems but there’s no choice but for the US to level up. Fun times!
 
www.navalnews.com

New US Navy Missile to Support Hypersonic Strike, Air Defense Roles - Naval News

The U.S. Navy’s next-generation of missiles are set to support hypersonic strike and long-range offensive counter air missions.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com

Sounds like further developments of the navy modular missile and/or the compact agile interceptor

joshjosh said:
No further development of the Compact Agile Interceptor? Zero dollars requested for FY26, and I can't find evidence of this program elsewhere. From the FY26 Navy RDT&E BA 1-3:

FY 2025 to FY 2026 Increase/Decrease Statement:
The decrease in funding from FY 2025 to FY 2026 is due to this INP completing Applied Reserarch development in FY 2025
Background:
Title: Compact Agile Interceptors
Description: The US Navy lacks both in capability and capacity interceptors that have the ability to defeat complex raids of hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and surface vessels. The Compact Agile Interceptor INP will use small diameter missiles to achieve a higher packing efficiency. Disruptive seeker technology, which weighs mere ounces will replace wasted pounds of payload weight and allow for higher speed missile interceptors. The seedling will evaluate multiple propulsion technologies including solid fuel ramjets, highly loaded grain propellants, and active throttling of solid rockets. The missiles airframe may be staged to enable the interceptor(s) the greatest agility to overmatch the threat. Multiple warhead technologies will be evaluated including reactive materials, kinetic warheads, and tailorable fragment warheads. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3506 specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the Compact Agile Interceptors INP effort.
FY 2025 Plans:
Initiate
- Independent Cost Estimate for the proposed INP program
- Procurement of 2-3 flight test units with selected propulsion concept
- Live fire proof of concept flight demonstration of propulsion concept
Complete
- Mission Analysis to establish Capability & Limitations of Engagement Envelope
- Propulsion/Payload Study to establish Missile Architecture and Technology Design Objectives
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The Navy Modular Missile is now the Naval Modular Missile. RDT&E falls under Standard Missile Improvements for now. Some interesting details that have emerged in the FY27 PB:

"The Naval Modular Missile (NMM) is the next generation family of surface and sub-surface launched kinetic hard-kill interceptors that serve as a competitive followon to the Standard Missile family of missiles."

"It will provide the US Navy, Joint Force, Allies and Partners with advanced defensive and offensive capability"

Modularity, WOSA, and GRA are mentioned again. The Navy is seeking $311M in FY27 to award competitive development contracts to at least two vendors.

Further, ESSM Block II development is tied to the NMM:
"Ongoing studies seek performance and producibility improvements for ESSM Blk 2 and future variants, exploring new tech and manufacturing methods to support evolving threats. Efforts will align closely to the developing requirements of the Navy Modular Missile."

It appears that the NMM is envisioned as being a broad enough effort to eventually replace a wide swath of weapons: ESSM, SM-2, SM-6, SM-6 IB (strike).

It doesn't appear that the NMM will replace SM-3 (exoatmospheric, although GPI is less clear to me, as the GPI is endoatmospheric.
 

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