The United States Space Force has released a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) for its Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program.
The solicitation was issued by Space Systems Command’s Space Combat Power Program Executive Office and seeks multiple industry partners to design and deliver prototype interceptor systems.
According to the Department of War, the awards will be structured as fixed-price Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under 10 U.S. Code 4022 and may also incorporate prize competitions authorized under 10 U.S. Code 4025.
In a notice released on October 4, the Space Force said the RPP “shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government and does not commit the Government to making any awards.” Instead, the solicitation is aimed at attracting competitive proposals from companies capable of delivering new interceptor technologies for deployment in orbit.
The SBI program is part of a broader push to develop layered missile defense systems capable of neutralizing threats in the earliest phases of flight. A space-based interceptor constellation would operate above Earth’s atmosphere, with the goal of detecting and destroying ballistic and hypersonic missiles before they reach their targets — a mission seen as increasingly critical amid rapid advances in adversary missile capabilities.
Access to the solicitation’s detailed technical documents, known as the Bidders Library, is restricted to companies with approved access to controlled technical data. Eligible firms must provide a valid DD Form 2345, the Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, which is processed through the Defense Logistics Agency’s Joint Certification Program. Once approved, companies can request additional materials and classified information through secure channels.
“Eligible companies can also optionally submit JWICS points of contact in order to receive the supplementary classified information shown during the USSF SBI Industry Day to further inform their contemplated approach,” the notice said. The government’s verification process generally takes one to two days following the submission of required documents.
The deadline for companies to request access to the Bidders Library was set for September 24, 2025, while final proposals were due by October 2. The solicitation officially became public on October 4. While the project is not designated as a small business set-aside, the Space Force “highly encourages” participation from small and disadvantaged businesses, according to the release.
The Space Force also confirmed that non-government personnel would assist in reviewing submissions. “Interested parties are advised that the Government intends to use non-Government personnel for the review and analysis of any feedback submitted and the proposals,” the announcement said. These personnel may include Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) firms, and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors providing technical and acquisition support.
The Space-Based Interceptor project represents one of the most ambitious components of U.S. missile defense modernization, potentially extending American defensive reach beyond terrestrial and airborne systems.
While details of the interceptor designs remain classified, the initiative underscores the Pentagon’s strategic shift toward integrating space as an active domain of defense rather than solely a platform for surveillance, communications, and command-and-control. If successful, the SBI program could eventually provide a persistent orbital layer capable of intercepting missile threats during their boost phase — a capability long sought but never fully realized.
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