US Air Force seeks new air defense systems to counter drone threats

The United States Air Force (USAF) has issued a request for information regarding the development of a ground-based air defense system utilizing medium-caliber automatic cannons. This initiative aims to address vulnerabilities identified during recent conflicts, specifically the need for more effective protection of overseas installations against massed attacks from low-cost drones.

The proposed system is intended to provide a cost-effective solution for intercepting aerial threats, including subsonic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) ranging from small FPV drones to larger platforms like the MQ-9A Reaper. The government is conducting market research to identify industrial partners capable of delivering these solutions.

Key requirements for the system include the ability to use affordable ammunition and high mobility for rapid deployment to difficult operational environments. The technology must be compatible with heavy transport aircraft, such as the C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, or C-5 Galaxy.