The United States has expanded its missile defense capabilities with the completion of 20 new interceptor silos at Fort Greely, Alaska. This project, originally conceived in 2022, increased the number of ground-based midcourse defense (GMD) system interceptors at the site from 40 to 60, upgrading the nation’s ability to defend against intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) threats. The GMD system also includes interceptors housed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, forming a key component of U.S. national defense.
Ballistic missile flights can be separated into three general phases: boost phase, midcourse phase and terminal phase. The GMD system is designed to intercept and neutralize missiles in space during their midcourse phase, which begins when the ballistic missile booster burns out and begins coasting toward its target while still outside Earth’s atmosphere. This phase offers a longer time period in which to hit the missile but also requires sophisticated radars and large interceptors to reach high altitudes. Despite the technical challenges, the system has proven highly effective during testing and offers a reliable defense against threats when combined with other elements of the greater ballistic missile defense system.
Expansion of the system comes at a critical time. Recent advancements in missile technology by rogue nations, including the pursuit of ICBMs with potential to reach the U.S. mainland, have highlighted the need for enhanced defense infrastructure.
The new silos at Fort Greely are a direct response to these emerging threats and reflect a broader effort to modernize U.S. missile defense capabilities. The Missile Defense Agency is developing a next generation interceptor (NGI) to replace aging interceptor systems with advanced technology capable of addressing increasingly sophisticated threats, such as decoys and multiple warheads.
In addition to the NGI program, U.S. defense planning is pursuing emerging technologies that can address a wider spectrum of threats, including hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and other advanced delivery systems. A recent White House executive order to develop a comprehensive next-generation missile defense shield — called the Golden Dome — seeks to broaden the scope of the U.S. missile defense architecture. While details remain under development, the proposal incorporates concepts such as space-based interceptors, a technology that could potentially increase the system’s effectiveness against a variety of missile threats.