The U.S. Navy has initiated the development of a new air defence missile dubbed “Compact Agile Interceptor” against hypersonic missiles. The highlights from the missile’s planned features include sufficient agility to engage hypersonic targets and multi-packaging for the Mk41 VLS, as reported by Naval News. A multi-packed air defence missile intended to shoot down hypersonic missiles can take load off long-range SM-6 and SM-2 missiles and allow the ships to stay loaded for other targets.
U.S. Navy ships currently use ESSM Block II for medium-range, SM-2 and SM-6 for long-range, and SM-3 for exo-atmospheric BMD. Near-term plans are introducing the Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles to the mixture for an optimised solution against ballistic missiles. A PAC-3 MSE missile was fired from a Mk70 VLS (Ground-based version of Mk41 VLS) and successfully shot down a target in May 2024. While the design is yet to be unveiled, a spin-off of the Patriot PAC-3 MSE missile is a possible candidate.
Lockheed Martin previously proposed a dual-packed version for Mk41 VLS. Even though a dual-packed PAC-3 MSE missile was shelved, the idea might return with the missile roughly fitting the requirements for Compact Agile Interceptor thanks to thruster-based control and multi-packaging. The firing test of the PAC-3 MSE missile from an Mk70 VLS further strengthens the possibility.
Modifications like a new propulsion system, folding fins, and new flight control software will be needed for better performance against hypersonic targets. Regarding the first, options, including grain rocket propellants with high energy and solid fuel ramjets, were present on an FY2025 R&D report.
