Defense technology manufacturer X-Bow Systems has secured a two-year, $10.9 million firm-fixed-price contract from the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop and flight-test the Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI). Concurrently, the company unveiled Buckler, an in-house developed supersonic interceptor designed to defeat Group 3 drones at a unit cost under $100,000.
As reported on the official website of X-Bow Systems, the MDA contract falls under Phase 2 of the Small Business Innovation Research program within the Rapid Response Small Launcher Technology initiative. Under this agreement, X-Bow will build an LCI prototype for testing in late 2027 and subsequently deliver four to ten flight units for MDA intercept trials aimed at high-speed and hypersonic threats. The LCI program targets a unit cost under $750,000, presenting a lower-cost alternative to legacy systems such as the $4 million Patriot or $12.7 million THAAD interceptors.
The newly introduced Buckler interceptor targets high-volume threats, utilizing X-Bow’s internal solid rocket motor (SRM) and airframe production capabilities to address defense industrial bottlenecks. The company confirmed that Buckler recently completed a successful flight test demonstrating its propulsion and flight performance, supported by static-fire and igniter trials.
X-Bow Founder and CEO Jason Hundley stated that the company’s additive manufacturing and propulsive capabilities allow it to supply affordable interceptors faster to meet growing pentagon demand. These low-cost initiatives align with broader defense efforts to scale munition stockpiles alongside programs like the Army’s Affordable High Speed Strike, the Air Force’s Family of Affordable Mass Missiles, and the Defense Innovation Unit’s Ground-Based Affordable Mass challenge.
