NXGB: Reengineering Hypersonic Deterrence for Mass Production

Lockheed Martin is accelerating development of the Next Generation Glide Body (NXGB), an affordable and scalable hypersonic weapon concept designed for flight demonstration in late 2027. The system emphasizes manufacturability, rapid production, and operational relevance while preserving advanced performance. NXGB is intended to engage targets from stand-off ranges, reducing exposure of launch platforms and personnel compared with closer-range strike systems.

The glide body is being designed for integration across multiple platforms and operational domains, allowing deployment by different military services. Lockheed Martin is also developing other boost-glide systems, including the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon for the U.S. Air Force and the Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon for the Army and Navy. These systems use solid rocket boosters to accelerate glide vehicles to speeds above Mach 5 before they maneuver toward their targets.

The program is advancing amid growing competition from defense startups seeking to provide lower-cost, mass-producible hypersonic weapons. Lockheed Martin is leveraging its existing missile development experience, production infrastructure, and work on programs such as the Next Generation Interceptor. At the same time, companies such as Castelion are emerging with competing systems, including the Blackbeard missile, which has recently received U.S. Navy funding.