Simulating Missile Threats
Northrop Grumman is the leading provider of threat representative target vehicles used in the test and verification of the nation’s missile defense systems. Various U.S. entities and allied forces rely on our unrivaled expertise to produce systems capable of emulating existing and emerging threats.
Our targets are custom designed to simulate the behavior of a customer-specified threat. Ranges span from short, medium, intermediate, and intercontinental distances, and can reach hypersonic speeds.
Our Advantage
We prioritize cost effectiveness by repurposing motors and technologies from heritage or discontinued programs. Our target programs have technical commonalities and utilize a shared approach to developing new technologies and ensuring that each vehicle is mission ready.
GQM-163A “Coyote” Supersonic Target
The GMQ-163A “Coyote” is a threat-representative supersonic target that simulates advanced anti-ship cruise missile threats. For more than two decades, the U.S. Navy has used Coyote targets to prepare, train, and qualify systems and crew aboard naval vessels.
Ducted Supersonic Target Rocket with Altitude Range Between 15 ft − 52K FT
Zombie Targets
Zombie targets provide accurate, aero-controlled targets for missile defense testing and launch vehicle platforms for hypersonic material testing. The targets leverage repurposed components from heritage programs to drive affordability, boost reliability and cut production time for customers conducting developmental and operational missile defense testing.
Six Target Configurations Provide Enhanced Maneuverability, Accessibility and Reliability
Short & Medium-Range Ballistic Missile and Subscale Targets
Northrop Grumman is a leading provider of short to medium-range ballistic missile threat representative launch vehicles used to test the nation’s missile defense systems. Our diverse portfolio of targets provide exceptional mission flexibility and reliability. We offer a variety of vehicle enhancement kits to support a wide range of mission requirements.
Large Performance Range, Highly Complex Re-Entry Vehicle
MBRV-11
In 2023, MDA selected Northrop Grumman to support the development and production of subscale Modified Ballistic Reentry Vehicles (MBRV-11) that will be used to test the Next Generation Interceptor. Our established infrastructure and heritage avionics support MDA’s request for accelerated development and an early operational capability.
Flight Proven and Qualified Hardware and Software Designs, Common System Architectures and Heritage Avionics
Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile
The Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) target is used to test the nation’s missile interceptors including the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Patriot air defense system.
Based on technologies from our proven Pegasus space launch vehicle, IRBM targets are dropped by parachute from a C-17 transport, then ignited in the air. Because of the geographic flexibility IRBM provides, the target can be launched to and from a wide range of locations and follow a variety of trajectories to meet mission requirements.
Flexible Design and Launch Platform Meet a Wide Variety of Requirements
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
The Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target expands on the IRBM platform by adding an additional downstage SR119 motor to provide ground launch capabilities and simulate long-range ICBM threats. ICBM has multiple launch locations including Meck Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Kodiak, Alaska.
Together IRBM and ICBM provide a robust cost-effective target launch platform with multiple low-cost, low risk front-end configurations to provide advanced mission capabilities for a wide spectrum of mission requirements.
Compatible with Future Front Ends
Our Expertise
Northrop Grumman has decades of experience as prime contractor and strategic partner on mission-critical missile defense programs that secure the nation, protect our deployed forces and defend our allies. Northrop Grumman is applying its mission systems engineering expertise in the defense against evolving and emerging missile threats and delivering decisive advantage to the warfighter.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.