Northrop Grumman Introduces Raid Hunter™ for Next Generation Gun-Based Air Defense System

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Aug. 11, 2026 – Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) has introduced Raid Hunter™, a pioneering 50mm Gun-Based Air Defense System. This new system is specifically engineered to address critical short-range defense gaps, offering scalable, resilient, and cost-effective protection against complex aerial threats that modern warfighters face.

As adversaries increasingly deploy cruise missiles, drone swarms, and various advanced aerial threats, the Raid Hunter system enhances defense capabilities. It provides rapid, high-capacity firepower essential for the protection of military bases, airfields, and other vital infrastructure.

Highlights:

• Raid Hunter incorporates proven Chain Gun® technology, precision-guided 50mm ammunition, and a networked, interoperable system controller, allowing it to effectively counter high-volume, mixed-threat aerial assaults. The system is capable of neutralizing a spectrum of aerial threats, including high-priority cruise missile threats and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Performance and Capability:

• The guided 50mm ammunition, combined with a high-rate-of-fire Chain Gun®, allows for lethal yet cost-effective engagements, equipped with deep magazines and quick reload capabilities to address the economics of massed swarming operations.
• Designed for rapid and flexible deployment, Raid Hunter features a modular design that facilitates swift transportation on C-130 aircraft, with future variants planned for vehicle-mounted and container-based configurations.
• This system represents Northrop Grumman’s commitment to continuous investment in advanced counter-UAS and air defense technologies that adapt to evolving operational requirements and emerging threats on the battlefield.
• Raid Hunter is poised to become an integral part of layered defense architectures, supporting multi-layer defense strategies to safeguard critical assets across diverse operational scenarios.

Expert Insight:

Kenn Todorov, Vice President and General Manager of Command and Control & Weapons Integration at Northrop Grumman, remarked: “Raid Hunter addresses a critical short-range defense gap by delivering rapid, high-capacity protection against complex, mass aerial threats like cruise missiles and drone swarms. It provides warfighters with a cost-effective, flexible tool to decisively defeat evolving threats now and in the future—strengthening the security of vital bases and infrastructure.”

Furthermore, Todorov emphasized the importance of adapting to modern warfare needs, stating, “War has evolved. Air Defenders require the capability to protect against large, complex raids designed to overwhelm traditional defense systems. Raid Hunter meets this need by offering a cost-effective and deep magazine solution capable of rapid deployment to protect warfighters at scale.”

Details of the System:

The Raid Hunter system is optimized for defeating high volumes of aerial threats, including cruise missiles and advanced unmanned systems, traditionally designed to saturate defense networks. Its modular palletized design promotes rapid deployment, with expected future enhancements to expand operational utility.

In conjunction with government and allied partners, Northrop Grumman aims to evolve the Raid Hunter’s capabilities through continuous testing and validation, supporting accelerated fielding timelines.

As a key addition to Northrop Grumman’s counter-UAS and air defense portfolio, known as Raid Defense Solutions, the Raid Hunter system stands as a critical capability aimed at tackling the modern battlefield’s challenges.

Northrop Grumman is recognized as a global leader in aerospace and defense technology, providing pioneering solutions that enhance connectivity and security worldwide while pushing the frontiers of human exploration.

Source: Northrop Grumman (2026-08-11T14:40:00Z)