Missile Defense Agency - Low Cost Interceptor

The Missile Defense Agency has issued a Special Notice for the Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI) solicitation under the NOBLE (Nimble Options for Buying Layered Effects) Announcement No. HQ0860-25-S-0001. This solicitation seeks industry partners to provide innovative approaches for rapidly demonstrating very low-cost interceptor designs to counter ballistic and hypersonic threats. The MDA is targeting interceptor missiles with a unit cost of less than $750,000 per missile using readily available components and technologies. The opportunity is structured as a concept demonstration effort with a compressed timeline and welcomes all industry partners, including non-traditional defense contractors. A virtual information session is planned for the week of September 15, 2025, to provide additional details about the program requirements.

The primary objective is to design, prototype, and test modular interceptor missiles capable of endo-atmospheric engagements with Mach 5+ speeds, ranges over 200km, and diameters less than 10 inches to fit existing launch systems. White papers must be submitted by September 29, 2025, following specific formatting and content requirements outlined in the solicitation attachments. The program consists of two phases: a 6-month detailed design and analysis phase followed by a 12-month prototyping and testing phase, with the goal of delivering 4-10 missiles for government intercept tests. Eligible participants include private industry, commercial and non-traditional defense contractors, and domestic academic institutions. The MDA will consider multiple award types, including both FAR-based procurement contracts and Other Transaction agreements, emphasizing the use of commercial off-the-shelf components and rapid, low-cost manufacturing practices.