The United States orders over 100 IFPC Increment 2 air defense launchers, worth $617 million

Leidos Awarded $617 Million Contract for IFPC Increment 2 Air Defense System

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 and funding for research and testing activities until 2029.

With this new order, the total value of contracts for this system now exceeds $1.2 billion, when combining the contracts worth $356 million awarded in July and September 2025. Leidos has described these contracts as a significant investment towards achieving full-scale 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 allows for quick integration with the command and control systems already in use in the US Army. Its compatibility with army transport platforms and standard trucks is a major advantage.

Towards a Multilayered 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 maintaining the size of the AIM-9X. Currently, the system can also utilize AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles.

In the long term, the army envisions creating “mixed” air defense battalions that combine the effectiveness of Patriot and IFPC systems, bolstering its multilayered air defense capabilities. It is worth noting that Leidos, through its subsidiary Dynetics, has already proven its capabilities by delivering a prototype of the IFPC Inc 2 launcher two months ahead of schedule, demonstrating its ability to accelerate the deployment of this essential technology.