Navy Wants Containerized, Low-cost Interceptors to Defeat Cruise Missiles, Drones
The U.S. Navy wants to deploy containerized low-cost interceptors to defeat cruise missiles and attack drones, according to a request for white papers released Wednesday. Dubbed the Naval Affordable Interceptor, the concept seeks to field a container launcher that can carry at least 60 missiles. The system’s installation should not require permanent modification aboard its host warship. Interested firms should be able to produce 500 interceptors annually and operationally deploy the system within 12 months of award. The white paper’s request and requirements for the low-cost interceptors are for the first system planned to be procured by the Navy’s Portfolio
USS Savannah (LCS-28) fires a SM-6 from a Lockheed Martin Mk 70 containerized missile launcher on Oct. 24, 2023. US Navy Photo The U.S. Navy wants to deploy containerized low-cost interceptors to defeat cruise missiles and attack drones, according to a request for white papers released Wednesday.
Dubbed the Naval Affordable Interceptor, the concept seeks to field a container launcher that can carry at least 60 missiles. The system’s installation should not require permanent modification aboard its host warship. Interested firms should be able to produce 500 interceptors annually and operationally deploy the system within 12 months of award.
The white paper’s request and requirements for the low-cost interceptors are for the first system planned to be procured by the Navy’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive Munitions Rapid Capability Cell. According to the paper, additional requests for future concepts on the Naval Affordable Interceptor are anticipated to be released.
The request comes as the sea service grapples with low-cost munition threats such as those fielded by Iran and its proxies since 2023.
The massed low-cost missile and one-way attack drone threat has resulted in “an unfavorable cost and magazine-depth problem for traditional air and missile defense” for the sea service, according to the white paper. Cost-effective interceptors are a potential solution to the threat.
Since the beginning of the Red Sea engagements in 2023, the U.S. Navy has been trading its expensive Cold War-era Standard Missile series interceptors against low-cost Iranian attack drones. Aside from the valuable interceptors, which would prove vital in a potential conflict with China, the service lacked ship-based capabilities that could intercept the drones beyond close-in weapon systems range.
In the past few years, the Navy has employed dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system missiles aboard a select few Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. These include RTX’s Coyote and Anduril’s Roadrunner. A recent announcement from L3Harris revealed that the sea service will be procuring VAMPIRE C-UAS, although their deployment scheme was not specified.
Littoral Combat Ships equipped with Hellfire modules were upgraded in 2024 to be able to target and down drones, albeit at a limited range.
The affordable interceptor’s deployment method also reflects the Navy’s increasing focus on bringing offensive, defensive, sensor and electronic warfare capabilities to the fleet through containers. Payload delivery systems were initially deployed aboard the LCS to bolster its firepower. A similar deployment on the open decks of lightly-armed warships and helicopter decks can provide additional protection to the service’s vessels.
These planned air defense systems will supplement the Navy Modular Missile, the service’s replacement for its legacy Standard Missiles. Akin to the Naval Affordable Interceptor, these future munitions want to cut costs and specialize against aerial and surface threats. The modular missile also plans to accommodate a low-cost interceptor requested by the Missile Defense Agency that can defeat ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
