US Marine Corps selects AI-powered Bullfrog autonomous weapon system for drone defense

Published Jul 21, 11:30 AM UTC

Allen Control Systems announced on July 21, 2026, that the US Marine Corps has selected the Bullfrog autonomous weapon system for integration into its Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) program. The AI-enabled system automatically detects, tracks, and aims firearms against aerial drone threats. It will be incorporated into the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS), which currently relies on electronic warfare. The Bullfrog M240 variant, compatible with the M240 machine gun, has a maximum effective range of nearly half a mile and can engage medium to large drones weighing up to 1,320 pounds. The company claims a cost-per-kill as low as $10, addressing the economic imbalance where cheap drones force expensive interceptor use. The system is already in use by the Army and Navy and has Pentagon approval. The announcement comes amid growing drone threats highlighted by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.