Defense Business Brief: Successful missile test; Ukraine to receive anti-drone kit; Northrop’s investment in rocket technology; and additional updates.

The Pentagon shot down an intermediate-range ballistic missile during a test of an updated interceptor and new type of radar. This was the first live-fire intercept test in almost five years of the Ground Based Interceptor, the missile shield that protects the United States. Ground-based interceptors have three stages, but operators programmed the GBI to use only two, which gives the military “additional shot opportunities to negate an incoming threat missile,” MDA said. Northrop Grumman has launched a campaign to design, build, and test a new solid rocket motor each year.
More VAMPIRE counter-drone systems are heading to Ukraine. The U.S. Navy said it will deliver 10 of the systems this month. L3Harris said it gave all 14 of the Vampire systems to the Pentagon on time.
The possible buy was disclosed in a Dec. 7 contracting document, which cites potential customers as the Army, other Defense Department agencies, foreign militaries, and other U.S. government agencies. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks is in Silicon Valley this week and Making Moves Sasha Baker, assistant secretary for strategy, plans, and capabilities, who also has been performing the duties of deputy undersecretary for policy, is leaving the Pentagon for a job in academia.