US Army wants a surface-to-air missile that can destroy small drones
The Army wants a radar-guided missile under $150,000 each to counter Group 2 and Group 3 drones and plans 50 for assessment by early 2028.
- The Army published a sources-sought notice on Tuesday for the Next Generation Counter-sUAS Missile , seeking industry proposals by August 20 for interceptors costing less than $150,000 to neutralize Group 2 and Group 3 small unmanned aerial systems.
- Pentagon officials seek cheaper alternatives to existing interceptors as Iranian Shahed-136 drones cost around $35,000 each. The Army aims for bulk purchases of 5,000 missiles to ensure affordable, scalable protection against rising threats.
- New missiles must integrate into the Coyote Launcher with "minimal to no modifications," per the solicitation. Performance goals include destroying targets at ranges exceeding 16 kilometers and altitudes of at least 6 kilometers.
- Selected contractors must reach Technology Readiness Level 7 by the end of fiscal 2027, with 50 missiles required for operational assessment by early 2028. This schedule supports immediate deployment across fixed-site and mobile platforms.
- The initiative aligns with Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and Domestic Shield, which coordinate counter-drone technology projects across military sites. The Army continues pursuing a layered defense strategy, integrating new missiles with existing radar systems.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The US wants a new missile to combat Shahed drones, but its main problem may be the price. The US Army has launched the NGCM project to create a new anti-aircraft missile to combat Shahed drones. The cost of the missile may make its use uneconomical.
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Defense News
US Army wants a surface-to-air missile that can destroy small drones
The U.S. Army wants new surface-to-air missiles, costing less than $150,000 apiece, that can destroy small drones.
Army surveys industry for inexpensive small-drone interceptor
The Army is surveying companies who can build a missile for less than $150,000 that can take out small unmanned aerial systems faster and at better ranges than current capability, a new notice says. The portfolio acquisition executive for fires published a notice today for the Next Generation Counter-sUAS Missile (NGCM), which must be able to take down group 2 and group 3 drones, or UAS weighing anywhere from 21 pounds to 1,320 pounds. The servi…
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