Northrop Grumman touts virtual reality tools in redesign of ICBM target vehicles

An artistic representation of Northrop Grumman's ICBM target vehicle. (Northrop Grumman)

Northrop Grumman is redesigning the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) target vehicle for the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the company said in a statement on 27 August. It is Northrop Grumman's first target programme to use virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies for factory integration and field operations.

The ICBM target vehicle is one of Northrop Grumman's longest-range and most capable targets. The targets are used by the MDA to test US missile defence systems, such as the Ground-based Midcourse Defense and Aegis ballistic missile defence systems, Robin Heard, director of targets for Northrop Grumman, told Janes on 29 August. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) and ICBM target vehicles, having delivered 25 vehicles to date, the statement said.

The programme is focused on replacing the target vehicle's Trident C4 first-stage solid-rocket motor with the SR119 solid-rocket motor that was originally installed on the LGM-118 Peacekeeper ICBM, Heard said. Initial SR119 integrated pathfinding operations were completed in June 2024, according to the statement. The critical design review for the redesigned ICBM target was completed earlier in August, and the redesigned vehicle is scheduled to make its first flight in late 2025.

The redesigned first stage is compatible with different front ends to simulate a variety of advanced, long-range ballistic missile threats, the statement said.