Navy Warships Will Fire “Glide Phase Interceptor” Weapons to Destroy Hypersonic Attacks

Video Above: Assistant Sec. of Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Talks Hypersonic Weapons

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

A Navy warship may be able to fire an interceptor from its Vertical Launch Systems fast enough and far enough to destroy an attacking hypersonic weapon traveling at five times the speed of sound. This is the goal of the Pentagon’s ambitious and fast moving Glide Phase Interceptor program, a high-tech effort intended to introduce a paradigm-changing ability to take out seemingly impossible to defend hypersonics.

Glide Phase Interceptor

Early conceptual and computer simulation work on the Glide Phase Interceptor is being done in coordination with an emerging technology called Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS).

HBTSS is designed to leverage a growing network of new smaller, lower-altitude Low and Medium Earth Orbit Satellites operating as a “meshed” network of extended, long-range nodes able to transmit target track specifics in real time. The idea is to track otherwise “beyond-line-of-sight” targets enabling fire control to establish and maintain a track early in the weapons launch, striking it just prior to its descent.

“HBTSS is on the path to launch two interoperable satellites that are built by two separate industry partners. So the idea is to keep competition in early, given the complexity of the mission. It is the only program within the space portfolio that provides fire control quality data down to a weapon system like Glide Phase Interceptor,” Navy Vice Adm. Jon Hill, Director, Missile Defense Agency told reporters last year, according to a Pentagon transcript.

The MDA has now awarded concept and design GPI deals to Raytheon, Lockheed and Northrop Grumman with the intent of strengthening what agency officials describe as a “layered defense.” HBTSS could help find targets for the GPI and potentially pass them along in seconds while a hypersonic missile is traveling to its target.