The US military is seeking an affordable missile capable of countering small drones as it looks to replenish stockpiles and strengthen future air defense capabilities.
WASHINGTON, United States — WEB DESK: The US Army is planning to develop and procure a new low-cost anti-drone missile as it seeks to counter the growing threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems while addressing concerns over dwindling munitions stockpiles.
According to international media reports, the US military is looking for an affordable missile capable of effectively intercepting small drones without relying on significantly more expensive air defense weapons.
A procurement document published on the US General Services Administration (GSA) website outlines the Army’s requirements for the new system. The document states that each missile should cost less than $150,000, enabling large-scale production at a lower cost.
The procurement plan also includes an initial target of acquiring at least 5,000 missiles, highlighting the Army’s intention to expand its inventory of cost-effective air defense weapons.
According to the requirements, the proposed missile should be capable of engaging unmanned aerial vehicles weighing between 20 and 1,300 pounds, with an effective range of approximately 15 miles.
Defence analysts say the increasing use of inexpensive drones in recent conflicts has prompted militaries worldwide to rethink their air defense strategies, as using high-cost missiles to destroy low-cost drones is widely viewed as economically unsustainable.
Experts believe the new initiative is designed to reduce defense costs, improve protection against drone attacks and strengthen the US military’s preparedness for future conflicts.
The development comes amid recent media reports suggesting that several categories of US precision-guided missile stockpiles have been significantly depleted following recent military operations.
