A lucrative contract. The American firm Leidos has been awarded a $617 million contract by the US Army for the production of launchers for the IFPC Increment 2 air defense system. The new agreement includes the delivery of over a hundred launchers. It also covers funding for research and testing activities until 2029.
With this new order, the total value of contracts for this system now reaches $1.2 billion, when combining the $356 million contracts awarded in July and September 2025. Leidos has described these contracts as a significant investment in advancing towards full-rate production of the system.
The IFPC Increment 2 is a ground-based system designed to provide protection against cruise missiles and drones. The launcher stands out for its adaptable structure, which facilitates its rapid integration with the command and control systems already in service within the US Army. Its compatibility with the army’s transport platforms and standard trucks is a major asset.
Towards a multi-layered defense
The primary interceptor for this system will initially be the AIM-9X Sidewinder. Additionally, the army is seeking a second type of missile specifically optimized to counter cruise missiles. This missile is expected to offer performance comparable to the AIM-120D AMRAAM while retaining the size of the AIM-9X. Currently, the system is also capable of using AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles.
In the long run, the army envisions the creation of “mixed” air defense battalions, combining the effectiveness of Patriot and IFPC systems, thereby enhancing its multi-layered air defense capability. It is worth noting that Leidos, through its subsidiary Dynetics, has already proven its ability to accelerate the deployment of this essential technology by delivering a prototype of the IFPC Inc 2 launcher two months ahead of schedule.
