The U.S. Army is seeking industry solutions for a 50mm gun-based air defense system to counter increasingly sophisticated drone threats, according to a sources-sought notice updated August 20, 2026. Northrop Grummans privately funded Raid Hunter is the most visible contender, racing to field an operational prototype by 2027.
The Army wants a 50mm solution capable of defeating Class 1, 2, and 3 UAS — spanning small quadcopters to medium-range fixed-wing drones. The 50mm category fills the gap between small arms (insufficient terminal effect) and missiles (too expensive for attrition scenarios). This is the first formal step toward a potential program of record.
The 2026 Iran conflict and Ukraine-Russia war have both demonstrated drone swarms can overwhelm traditional air defense. As that lesson scales globally, the Army is moving to close a critical capability gap.
