The U.S. Army has selected Boeing and Anduril to progress to the next phase of competition for the Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 Second Interceptor. The system is designed to defend fixed and forward operating bases against cruise missiles, militarised drones and other aerial threats.
China, Russia and Iran have spent the past decade fielding low-cost, mass-producible cruise missiles and drones intended to overwhelm American defences faster than stockpiles can be replenished, as per a recent press statement. Industry consolidation has left the solid rocket motor (SRM) market with only two suppliers, limiting the defence industrial base’s ability to scale production quickly.
Anduril says its answer lies in the Mississippi Solid Rocket Motor Complex, a 450-acre facility built to add scale and resilience to the supply chain. The company has invested more than $100 million of its own capital alongside $58 million in Defense Production Act funding to build the site. It houses a bladeless high-speed mixer, described as the only one of its kind, and a parallel production line capable of building multiple motor configurations simultaneously.
The Boeing-Anduril interceptor combines Boeing’s seeker technology and compact airframe with an Anduril-built SRM, drawing on propulsion technologies proven across existing programmes. It targets the midrange engagement band, sitting between short-range point defence and long-range systems reserved for high-value targets.
Anduril and Boeing began collaborating on the concept in 2024, exploring prototype technologies for the IFPC Increment 2 requirement. The latest award moves the team into detailed design, system development, integration and demonstration, culminating in a competitive capability demonstration against Army requirements.
Learn more on Anduril’s website
