Space Force to solicit prototype proposals for midcourse space-based missile interceptors

WASHINGTON — The Space Force plans to issue a request to industry on Dec. 7 for prototype kinetic energy space-based interceptors (SBIs) for midcourse missile defense, Space Systems Command (SSC) announced.

The pre-solicitation notice, published on Thursday, appears to follow the prize-based model set out in the service’s prototype program for boost-phase SBIs initiated in September. The notice states that SSC envisions “multiple fixed price Other Transaction Agreements,” and “may also incorporate Prize Competitions.”

Other than stating that the call is for hit-to-kill rather than directed-energy systems for shooting down adversary missiles during their orbital flight trajectory, the notice is lacking technical detail. Instead, companies are instructed to apply to receive bidding documents, which will go to those validated as meeting government criteria.

SSC gives interested firms until Dec. 4 to ask for the bidding documents, and “anticipates” awards in February 2026. The announcement was first reported by Inside Defense.

In principle, having a constellation of midcourse interceptors would provide the Space Force an additional layer of defenses potentially able to take out enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles missed by boost-phase SBIs.

Further, space-based midcourse defense have some advantages over boost-phase solutions due to the laws of physics: a shorter strike distance and the lack of atmospheric effects that complicate the ability of both kinetic- and directed-energy interceptors to target adversary missiles just after launch.

On the other hand, there are also some disadvantages. In particular, an adversary can complicate midcourse solutions by using decoys released once the missile reaches orbit and no longer burns brightly, which makes it difficult to discriminate the now-dim target from its equally dim imposters.