Northrop Grumman has introduced the Raid Hunter, a new air defense system built to address short-range threats from drone swarms and missiles. The system is designed to serve as a final line of defense when longer-range countermeasures fail to intercept incoming aerial threats. It combines artificial intelligence sensors, precision-guided ammunition, and a motor-driven chain gun capable of firing up to 200 rounds per minute.
The core of the system is the Bushmaster 50mm chain gun, which is integrated into an AI-enabled command-and-control network. This setup allows the system to process sensor data from a multi-domain air defense network, enabling it to identify, target, and lock onto multiple incoming threats simultaneously.
The company describes the concept as similar to the air defense screens used by aircraft carrier groups, but updated to handle modern swarm tactics more efficiently.
A key feature of the Raid Hunter is its use of 50mm precision-guided rounds rather than standard projectiles. These rounds include active control surfaces that allow them to course-correct in mid-flight if a target attempts to evade. Additionally, the system features an electrically powered automated reload mechanism that provides a deep magazine capacity.
Northrop Grumman claims this configuration offers a high single-shot probability of kill against small, high-speed, or maneuverable airborne targets, ensuring that available ammunition is used effectively against mass aerial raids.
Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager of command and control and weapons integration at Northrop Grumman, stated that the system delivers rapid, high-capacity protection against complex threats. He noted that the tool is intended to be cost-effective and flexible, helping to secure vital bases and infrastructure against evolving aerial risks.
