Image: Northrop Grumman ©
Northrop Grumman has revealed Raid Hunter, its new 50mm Gun-Based Air Defense (GBAD) system, as per a recent press statement. The system aims to close a critical gap in short-range, layered air defence.
Raid Hunter combines proven Chain Gun technology with precision-guided 50mm ammunition and a networked system controller. The company designed it to counter cruise missiles, drone swarms and other complex aerial threats. It will protect military bases, airfields and critical infrastructure from high-volume, mixed-threat raids.
The system’s guided ammunition and high-rate-of-fire cannon deliver deep magazines and fast reloads. This addresses the economic challenge posed by massed swarming attacks, where cheap threats can overwhelm costly interceptors.
Northrop Grumman built Raid Hunter with a modular design for rapid transport aboard C-130 aircraft. The company plans future vehicle-mounted and container-based variants to widen its deployment options.
Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager for command and control and weapons integration at Northrop Grumman, commented: “Raid Hunter addresses a critical short-range defence gap by delivering rapid, high-capacity protection against complex, mass aerial threats like cruise missiles and drone swarms.”
He added that the system gives warfighters a cost-effective, flexible tool to defeat evolving threats now and in future.
Raid Hunter forms part of Northrop Grumman’s Raid Defense Solutions portfolio, a family of layered kinetic capabilities. The portfolio integrates fielded programmes, AI-enabled command and control, and sensor fusion for faster detection and coordinated engagements.
The company continues working with government and allied partners to mature the system’s capabilities. Planned testing throughout the year will validate performance and support accelerated fielding, as per a recent press statement.
Learn more on Northrop Grumman’s website














