AUSA 2026: Northrop Grumman targets lower-cost air defence with $100 million Raid Hunter investment
Scale model of the Northrop Grumman pallet-mounted Raid Hunter 50mm gun-based defence solution showing sensor pod in the right-hand side of the weapon. (Photo: author)
At AUSA 2026, Northrop Grumman revealed it had invested US$100 million in its Raid Hunter gun-based air defence capability, which the company claims could reduce the cost of individual engagements by 95.5% compared with interceptor missiles.
The Northrop Grumman 50mm XM913 dual-feed Chain Gun is fitted to all of the prototypes of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) under development by two teams, General Dynamics Land Systems and American Rheinmetall, to replace the currently deployed M2 Bradley armed with a 25mm M242 Chain Gun.
This 50mm XM913 Chain Gun is now installed on the Northrop Grumman Raid Hunter, a gun-based point defence solution which is being developed by the company as a private venture to meet the growing threat from cruise missile attacks as well as for uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) threats.
Raid Hunter is
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Active protection systems: from optional upgrade to operational requirement]()
Active protection systems: from optional upgrade to operational requirement
As battlefield threats multiply, active protection systems are becoming increasingly important for armoured vehicle survivability – but cost, integration challenges and evolving drone threats will determine how widely they can be deployed.
-
![AUSA 2026: can converting established vehicle platforms offer route into emerging UGV market?]()
AUSA 2026: can converting established vehicle platforms offer route into emerging UGV market?
Defence manufacturers are showcasing uncrewed versions of established military and commercial vehicles at AUSA 2026 as the US Army’s Project Sustainment draws interest.
-
![AUSA 2026: Hanwha receives howitzer top-up order to meet US Army’s fast delivery demand]()
AUSA 2026: Hanwha receives howitzer top-up order to meet US Army’s fast delivery demand
Less than two months after winning a contract from the US Army for six prototype K9 mobile howitzers, Hanwha Defense USA has received an order for another three. The company will show a platform at AUSA 2026.
