For the JAGM contract, Lockheed provides a 27-month technology development program that includes design, test and demonstration of joint air-to-ground missile system that significantly enhances warfighters operational flexibility and combat effectiveness.

FORBES: Lockheed's Flurry Of New Contracts Provides Short Term Support

There are, moreover, other ways to provide such a defense -- notably, from the sea using modified AEGIS fleet air defense ships -- that could enable a national missile defense to be fielded for a fraction of the cost of the ground-based system.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Sea-Based Missile Defenses -- for the Allies, for the U.S.