As airborne threats evolve and increasingly strain short-range air defenses, Northrop Grumman is stepping in with a new gun-based system designed to add another layer of protection.
Called Raid Hunter Gun-Based Air Defense, the system combines networked controllers, advanced battle management, Chain Gun technology, and 50mm ammunition.
It uses guided projectiles, a high rate of fire, deep magazines, and rapid reloads to support sustained engagements against airborne threats.
The system features a modular, palletized architecture that allows it to be rapidly deployed aboard C-130 aircraft. Future variants are planned for vehicle-mounted and container-based configurations.
Designed to protect critical military infrastructure, Raid Hunter is intended to counter a range of airborne threats, including drone swarms, autonomous aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles.
Northrop plans to work with government agencies and industry partners to further develop the system, with testing scheduled for later this year.
Countering Saturation Attacks
The development of Raid Hunter comes as high-volume attacks increasingly challenge short-range air defense systems.
The weapon expands Northrop’s Raid Defense Solutions counter-unmanned aerial systems and air defense portfolio, which includes a range of kinetic platforms.
The portfolio is designed to accelerate threat detection, streamline decision-making, and coordinate engagements across complex mission environments.
“War has evolved. Air defenders need the ability to defend against large, complex raids designed to overwhelm traditional defense solutions,” said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager of command and control and weapons integration at Northrop.
“Raid Hunter addresses this critical need by delivering a cost-effective and deep magazine solution that can be rapidly delivered to the warfighter at scale.”
