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Army Launches Low-Cost Interceptor Program to Supplement Air Defenses
The U.S. Army formally started its low-cost interceptor initiative to develop affordable systems against drones. A call for white papers opens July 6, with live-fire demonstrations planned for this fall at White Sands Missile Range.
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The Army formally launched its low-cost interceptor program to produce scalable, affordable systems that can supplement existing air defenses against drones. Breaking Defense reported that the initiative was first teased last month by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and advanced during an Industry Day event where senior leaders outlined a compressed timeline.
Driscoll attended Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin on March 13, 2025, where he flew in a UH-60 Blackhawk alongside GEN George.
The event showcased Next Generation Command and Control capabilities. ” The service plans to release a call for white papers on July 6 through its XTech program. The solicitation will seek proposals for rocket motors, seekers, fire control and guidance tools, and a weapons system integrator to design an open systems architecture.
Brig. Gen. Guy Yelverton, capability portfolio executive of Defensive Fires, said the Army hopes to select companies shortly after the response date for live-fire demonstrations at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Senior leaders stated the goal is to complete the first live-fire demonstrations this fall.
