Boeing and Anduril Advance in US Army Interceptor Competition
Boeing and Anduril Industries have advanced to Phase 2 of the US Army's competition to build a second interceptor for its Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 air defense system. The new interceptor is designed to counter cruise missiles and militarized drones, complementing the AIM-9X missile already used in the Army's Enduring Shield system.
The Boeing-designed interceptor will be powered by a solid rocket motor supplied by Anduril Industries. It uses a modular open systems architecture, allowing individual components like the seeker and avionics to be swapped out and upgraded without redesigning the entire missile.
According to Boeing, this approach is meant to keep the interceptor affordable and allow more rounds to fit in each magazine. The company's vice president of Precision Engagement Systems, Bob Ciesla, said that the scalable production approach provides 'a reliable, affordable layer of defense against a range of aerial threats'.
The US Army began looking for a second, more capable interceptor over two years ago, after concluding that emerging cruise missile and drone threats exceeded what the existing system could handle. Boeing first partnered with Anduril on the program in December 2025, after receiving an Other Transaction Authority award to begin developing the interceptor.