New Pentagon budget documents reveal that the United States may not deploy its next-generation homeland missile defense interceptor before 2030, exposing major delays in Washington’s efforts to modernize protection against long-range ballistic missile threats. The Next Generation Interceptor program, developed by Lockheed Martin, is designed to replace the aging Ground-Based Interceptor system currently protecting the US homeland. The report comes amid growing concerns over advanced missile capabilities being developed by Russia, China, and North Korea, as the Pentagon pushes ahead with broader missile defense projects including President Donald Trump’s proposed Golden Dome initiative.