Northrop Grumman says it has completed an aeroballistic test of a new 50mm projectile for Raid Hunter, the company’s gun-based air-defense system. The test used an XM913 Chain Gun and generated flight data intended to support development of a guided, proximity-fuzed round.
The company said the rounds produced high-fidelity data for nearly every shot and broadly matched pre-test predictions. Raid Hunter is being positioned as a short-range option for engaging mixed raids that can include low-cost uncrewed aircraft. Northrop Grumman has not published enough test data for independent assessment of accuracy, engagement envelope or cost effectiveness.
Proximity fuzing is intended to improve the probability of effect without requiring a direct projectile impact. In a counter-UAS role, however, overall performance also depends on sensor quality, target classification, fire-control integration and the safety constraints surrounding the defended area. Follow-on testing will need to demonstrate the complete engagement chain.
Why it matters
Gun-based systems are attracting attention as operators look for repeatable defenses against larger drone salvos. The test is a development milestone, not proof of field performance, and should be assessed as one element in a layered airspace-security architecture.
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