Northrop Grumman unveils Raid Hunter anti-drone chain gun with 50mm precision-guided ammunition

Published Aug 15, 10:30 AM UTC

Northrop Grumman has introduced the Raid Hunter, a short-range air defense system designed to counter drone swarms and cruise missiles. The system uses the company's proven Chain Gun technology with 50mm precision-guided ammunition, offering a cost-effective solution to the economic challenge of massed aerial threats. It features a modular, palletized design that can be rapidly deployed on C-130 aircraft or other vehicles, and can be networked for coordinated engagements. The Raid Hunter aims to fill a critical short-range air defense gap identified in modern conflicts like Ukraine and the Middle East, where traditional missile-based systems are overwhelmed by high-volume, low-cost threats. Tests are planned for 2026 to support accelerated fielding.