Boeing and Anduril Industries are joining forces to give the US Army a new layer of defense against cruise missiles, drones and other aerial threats, after the Army selected Boeing to advance its bid for a new medium-range interceptor.
Anduril will supply the solid rocket motor for the interceptor, while Boeing leads its development as the team moves into the next phase of the Army’s competition, the companies announced Wednesday.
“Boeing and Anduril are partnering to deliver a critical, scalable rocket motor systems capability for the US Army,” said Burhan Muzaffar, senior vice president at Anduril Industries.
The interceptor is part of the Army’s Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) program, which aims to strengthen air defenses around fixed and forward operating bases.
Boeing will now enter the second phase of the competition, focusing on the interceptor’s detailed design, development and integration.
The company will also demonstrate the system’s capabilities to show that it meets Army requirements.
-Boeing interceptor aims to fill gap between short- and long-range air defenses
The new interceptor is intended to fill a gap between short-range air defense systems and longer-range systems such as Patriot.
This would give Army commanders another option for dealing with low-flying threats at medium distances.
The Army’s Enduring Shield currently uses the AIM-9X Sidewinder, but it began seeking a more capable second interceptor after emerging cruise missile and drone threats outpaced the system’s capabilities.
The program is also designed to be affordable and allow more interceptors to be carried in each launcher, giving military bases greater protection against multiple aerial threats.
Boeing’s modular design allows components such as the seeker, avionics and software to be upgraded without redesigning the entire missile. The company says this could reduce costs and allow more interceptors to fit in each magazine.
“Our scalable production approach is designed to provide a reliable, affordable layer of defense against a range of aerial threats to protect the warfighter with practical, dependable capability when it matters most,” said Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems.
Boeing and Anduril teamed up on the program in December 2025 after Boeing received an Other Transaction Authority award to develop the interceptor.