US Navy seeks containerized low-cost interceptors for cruise missile, drone defense

The US Navy issued a request for white papers for the Naval Affordable Interceptor, a containerized launcher carrying at least 60 missiles to counter cruise missiles and drones, with no permanent ship modifications required. The program targets production of 500 interceptors annually and operational deployment within 12 months of award. This signals a shift toward distributed, low-cost missile defense to address evolving threats, though details on interceptor performance and cost remain unspecified.