Replicating the cold, airless void of space inside a high-vacuum chamber on Earth, defense giants Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies have cleared a massive technical hurdle in the race to protect the American homeland.

The companies successfully completed a static hot-fire test for the Stage 2 solid rocket motor of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI). It was a demanding proof-of-concept run. Through simulated low-Earth orbit conditions, engineers proved the motor could deliver reliable performance where standard atmospheric tests fall short.

On-time fielding of the NGI fulfills an urgent need for advanced U.S. missile defense capabilities, with recent static-fire testing confirming its steady progress toward Critical Design Review.

“The test demonstrated the L3Harris Technologies’ Stage 2 motor will sustain the extreme thermal and pressure stresses expected during interceptor missions,” the company stated.

Test performance

The Next Generation Interceptor is the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s upcoming homeland anti-ballistic missile system, designed to defend against intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). As part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) architecture, it will replace older Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs) currently housed in Alaska and California silos with an upgraded, modernized defense capability.

During the test, the L3Harris-built motor sustained intense thermal and pressure stresses. It did far more than survive; key metrics like thrust output, chamber pressure, and combustion stability matched design expectations across the board.

That stability is crucial. At hypersonic speeds, even a microsecond of thrust fluctuation can cause an interceptor to miss an incoming threat entirely.

“This successful static fire test is a significant milestone on the path to the Critical Design Review and confirms our confidence that the NGI motor will meet the demanding performance envelope required for fielding by 2030,” said Christopher Jewell, Lockheed Martin NGI vice president. 

The raw test data will now feed directly into finalizing the interceptor‘s complete blueprint, paving the way for full integration into the nation’s Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) network.

Other advancements in NGI tech

In early August, Lockheed Martin achieved another key milestone for the NGI program by successfully completing a critical burst test on its second-stage motor case. 

Engineers pressurized the carbon-fiber composite structure with water beyond expected launch limits. The testing confirmed its strength-to-weight ratio and ability to withstand extreme launch forces while delivering necessary orbital thrust.

NGI is progressing toward a key December design review, clearing the way for qualification testing, initial 2028 deliveries, and flight tests starting in 2029.

Despite an 18-month delay caused by supply chain problems and solid rocket motor design issues, it is said that recent performance has been strong, though the agency remains vigilant regarding potential component risks.

Also, in June, Lockheed Martin opened a new assembly facility in Courtland, Alabama, dedicated to manufacturing the NGI. Reportedly, the plant features a digitally driven production line engineered for flexible scalability and reconfiguration to meet evolving military demands. 

In 2024, the Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin a $17 billion contract to deliver 20 NGIs. The system is expected to serve as a core component of “Golden Dome,” the Defense Department’s multi-domain missile shield linking sensors and interceptors. For this initiative, the Pentagon is requesting nearly $18 billion in fiscal 2027 as part of a projected $185 billion long-term investment.

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Australia is taking another step toward operating its future nuclear-powered submarine fleet, awarding Lockheed Martin a two-year, AUD$26.5 million contract to establish a sovereign Combat Systems Integration (CSI) capability for its future Virginia-class submarines.

The work is being undertaken through the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) as part of the AUKUS partnership, with Australian engineers working alongside U.S.-based Virginia-class submarine specialists.

The technical capability being developed may sound like a relatively small part of a submarine program, but it sits at the heart of how a modern attack submarine turns information from its sensors into decisions and, ultimately, weapons effects.

What does combat-system integration actually mean?

A submarine’s combat system is essentially the technological nervous system connecting its sensors, communications, tactical information, and weapons.

A modern submarine can detect contacts using sonar and other sensors, build a picture of what is happening around it, determine whether a contact is a potential threat, and coordinate an appropriate response. Making all of those components work together reliably is the job of combat-system integration.

It is also an ongoing process rather than something completed when a submarine leaves the shipyard. Software, sensors, weapons and other components evolve throughout a submarine’s service life, requiring testing and integration to ensure new capabilities work with the rest of the system.

Australia’s Defense Department says the Combat System Integration Partner will help implement and test combat-system improvements and support submarine crews with maintenance and repair of the system.

Why Australia wants the capability at home

The objective is not simply to have Australian engineers working on American-designed equipment. Canberra wants to develop a sovereign integration capability that can support its own submarines over decades of operation.

That is particularly important for a fleet expected to remain in service for many years. A submarine’s combat system cannot simply be treated as a fixed piece of equipment; maintaining its effectiveness means continually integrating improvements as technology and operational requirements change.

Australia has already been involved with the AN/BYG-1 submarine combat control system, which is used by both Australian and U.S. submarines. The U.S. Navy describes AN/BYG-1 as a joint U.S.-Australian program and has been demonstrating its capabilities to AUKUS partners as part of broader efforts to ensure interoperability.

The new CSI capability builds on that broader experience while creating a larger Australian industrial and engineering base around the future Virginia fleet.

Building an Australian industrial base

Lockheed Martin says the contract will initially create more than 20 CSI engineering positions, with work beginning in Western Australia. Australia’s government previously said the broader CSI partner program could ultimately create around 100 additional jobs at Lockheed Martin Australia.

The companies will also examine Australia’s supply chain to identify local businesses that could contribute to Virginia-class combat-system integration.

That could become an important part of AUKUS. The partnership is not only about acquiring submarines and transferring technology; Australia is attempting to develop enough domestic expertise to operate, maintain and eventually sustain an advanced nuclear-powered submarine force.

The submarines behind the program

Australia’s future Virginia-class boats will be conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines operated under Australian command. The Australian government currently plans to acquire three Virginia-class submarines, with the first expected in the early 2030s.

The Virginia class is designed around long-duration submerged operations and combines nuclear propulsion with sophisticated sonar, combat-management and weapons systems. Australia’s future boats will therefore require a substantial technical workforce capable of supporting complex U.S.-origin systems within Australia’s own operational and maintenance structure. The CSI work is one piece of that much greater effort.

Australia is also building expertise through the broader AUKUS submarine ecosystem, including preparations for future SSN-AUKUS submarines that will eventually be designed and built jointly by Australia and the United Kingdom. The significance of the new contract is therefore less about the AUD$26.5 million itself and more about what it is intended to create.

Lockheed Martin has launched a new family of modular radio-frequency sensors, missile datalinks, and seeker technologies designed to help the United States and its allies respond faster to evolving battlefield threats.

Announced on August 10 in Orlando, Florida, the Strigo family uses common hardware and software architectures that can be rapidly reconfigured for air defense, missile defense, and air-to-surface engagements.

Lockheed has invested $250 million in a dedicated product center intended to move new technologies from initial concepts to tested systems in months rather than years.

Modular missile sensor tech for multiple missions

The Strigo portfolio is built around a common technical baseline, allowing Lockheed Martin to adapt individual solutions without developing every system from scratch.

This approach could shorten integration timelines while reducing development, lifecycle, and long-term sustainment costs.

Its technologies include RF sensors that detect and track targets, datalinks that allow missiles to receive updated information during flight, and seekers that guide weapons toward their targets.

Because these components are modular, they can be tailored to different weapons and operational requirements.

The architecture is intended to support a broad range of missions, including intercepting aircraft and missiles or striking targets on the ground.

It could also allow existing munitions to receive upgraded sensing and communications capabilities as new threats emerge.

Developing missile systems before formal demand

Lockheed Martin established the dedicated product center less than two years ago to accelerate the journey from concept to operational capability.

The facility functions as a storefront of ready and near-ready technologies that can be adapted to meet specific customer requirements.

Instead of waiting for the US military to formalize a requirement, engineers at the center conduct proactive research and build hardware around anticipated battlefield needs.

Lockheed said several concepts have already progressed from early design to successful testing.

Technologies developed through the modular family have also informed aspects of the seeker package for the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2.

The weapon is being developed to provide the US Army with a longer-range capability against moving maritime targets and other threats.

“By putting proactive research and development at the forefront, the Strigo Product Center lets us test and deploy new solutions at unprecedented speed. That’s how we turn ‘what if’ into ‘what’s next’ faster than ever before,” said Stacy Kubicek, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Sensors and Global Sustainment.

Preparing for rapidly evolving threats

The $250 million investment reflects a wider defense-industry effort to increase missile production and accelerate the introduction of new capabilities.

Conflicts are demonstrating how quickly electronic warfare, countermeasures, and target profiles can change, placing pressure on traditional development cycles.

“Leveraging our deep expertise in advanced sensor and missile technologies, this long-term investment reshapes the way we develop and deliver next-generation, mission-ready capabilities, ensuring our warfighters have the solutions they need the moment threats evolve,” Kubicek added.

Lockheed plans to continue investing in RF sensors, missile seekers and datalinks.

The company says the technologies will support current efforts to accelerate munitions development while creating a foundation for future US military capabilities.

A retired Space Force general who served as deputy commander of U.S. Space Command is joining the board of lunar rover developer Lunar Outpost.

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A routine security assessment found that cameras aboard Royal Navy Kraken unmanned surface vessels were sending "heartbeat" signals to an IP address in China. "A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally," said a Ministry of Defense spokesperson. "Our assurance and testing processes are designed to identify and address potential vulnerabilities early, and we continue to undertake routine security activity across our systems and equipment." The Register reports: According to reports, the talkative components were cameras sourced by Kraken from a third-party supplier. The incident raises questions about supply chains, audits, and cybersecurity in the British armed forces. The spokesperson said: "The first duty of government is national security, and we take the security of our equipment, networks, and data extremely seriously."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

A decade ago, a United States carrier strike group departing San Diego could cross the Pacific with only intermittent detection. China might catch a glimpse — a satellite pass here, […]

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