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≈$6.47B Defense-wide DEFINITIVE CONTRACT HQ014712C0004

National missile defense "GMD (Ground-based Midcourse Defense)" development and sustainment: ~$6.47B — the Missile Defense Agency's award to Boeing (USAspending)

Missile Defense Agency ・2011-12-30 〜 2025-12-31

Per USAspending, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded the development and sustainment contract for "GMD (Ground-based Midcourse Defense)," which defends the homeland against intercontinental ballistic missiles, to Boeing. The value is about $6.47 billion ($6,466,627,868), a definitive contract running December 2011–December 2025. It is the core system of U.S. national missile defense, intercepting incoming ICBMs in space (the midcourse phase).

Contract key facts

  • RecipientBoeing
  • Contract value$6,466,627,868 (≈$6.47B)
  • BranchDefense-wide
  • Awarding agencyDepartment of Defense
  • Awarding sub-agencyMissile Defense Agency
  • Award typeDEFINITIVE CONTRACT
  • Period of performance2011-12-30 〜 2025-12-31
  • Contract ID (PIID)HQ014712C0004

Contract scope (original)

THE MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY (MDA), GROUND-BASED MIDCOURSE DEFENSE (GMD) DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINMENT CONTRACT (DSC) THE GMD DSC WORK INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: 1) FUTURE DEVELOPMENT; 2) FIELDING; 3) TEST; 4) SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INTEGRATION AND CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT; 5) EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING AND REFURBISHMENT; 6) TRAINING; AND 7) OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT FOR THE GMD WEAPON SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT FACILITIES.

Key points

  • MDA awarded the GMD (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) Development and Sustainment Contract (DSC) to Boeing. Cumulative ~$6.47B ($6,466,627,868).
  • Definitive contract, performance December 30, 2011 – December 31, 2025; scope spans development, fielding, test, manufacturing/refurbishment, training, and sustainment.
  • GMD is the core of homeland defense, intercepting ICBMs in space (the midcourse phase).
  • The top layer above PAC-3 (terminal lower) and THAAD (terminal high) — national missile defense.
  • Against theater defense (PAC-3/THAAD), GMD is strategic defense protecting the homeland itself.

A ballistic missile follows a path of a "boost phase" just after launch, a "midcourse phase" coasting through space, and a "terminal phase" reentering the atmosphere and descending. GMD (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) intercepts incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) during the longest of these — the midcourse phase of flight through space.

Ground-launched interceptors (GBIs) fielded in Alaska and California destroy the target in space by direct impact.

Overlaying this GMD onto the PAC-3 (terminal, lower layer) and THAAD (terminal, high altitude) covered separately on this site reveals the full picture of U.S. missile defense — a multi-layered posture. GMD handles the highest and farthest layer, and against the strategic-nuclear threat of ICBMs. If PAC-3 and THAAD are theater (regional) defense, GMD is national missile defense that protects the homeland itself.

This contract comprehensively covers everything from development to fielding, test, and operations-and-sustainment of that system — a "Development and Sustainment Contract (DSC)."

The description (USAspending) enumerates a broad scope — future development, fielding, test, systems engineering, equipment manufacturing/refurbishment, training, and operations and sustainment — showing this is not a mere equipment purchase but a contract sustaining the whole system over the long term. A cumulative ~$6.47B, with performance to 2025, speaks to the weight of continuously maintaining national missile defense.

Why it matters

GMD is the core of national missile defense against ICBMs, a contract comprehensively covering development through operations-and-sustainment over the long term. As the top layer above PAC-3 and THAAD, it completes the full picture of U.S. multi-layered missile defense. As material for understanding the difference between theater and strategic defense, it is useful to readers tracking security and the defense industry.

FAQ

What data is this?
A single Department of Defense (DoD) federal procurement contract recorded in "USAspending," the U.S. open government-spending dataset. The recipient, awarding component, value, and scope are public. This site is not an official U.S. government website.
Is the amount final?
It is a cumulative figure as of collection. Large defense contracts accumulate modifications over many years, so amounts change. The latest figure is available at the source, USAspending.
How does GMD differ from PAC-3 or THAAD?
They differ in the phase and target intercepted. GMD intercepts intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) during the midcourse phase of flight through space — the top layer of national missile defense, above THAAD (high altitude) and PAC-3 (lower layer), which handle the terminal phase.

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Sources (primary)

This article is an independent organization based on the U.S. official spending data below. Verify the exact, latest details with the official source.

#Defense#Department of Defense#Missile defense#GMD#Missile Defense Agency#ICBM#Boeing#Ballistic missile defense

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