US Army wants a surface-to-air missile that can destroy small drones

Key Points:

• The U.S. Army is seeking a new surface-to-air missile, the Next Generation C-sUAS Missile (NGCM), to quickly and effectively destroy small drones classified as Group 2 and Group 3 sUAS threats.
• The missile must intercept drones flying up to 8 kilometers altitude at ranges exceeding 25 kilometers, with a radar-guided seeker and rapid launch time of under five seconds, while being compatible with existing systems like the Coyote Launcher and various air defense radars.
• The Army plans two NGCM versions: a fixed-site system with multiple sensors and a mobile version mounted on tactical vehicles, aiming for prototype field testing by the end of fiscal 2027 and 50 missiles ready for operational assessment by early 2028.
• Cost targets are set below $150,000 per missile for a bulk purchase of 5,000 units, balancing affordability with performance, although critics note that cheaper drones like the Iranian Shahed-136 challenge missile economics and drive interest in alternative counter-drone technologies such as lasers.
• The NGCM project reflects the Army’s effort to enhance kinetic anti-drone capabilities amid growing drone threats, while complementing ongoing development of non-kinetic options like lasers and microwaves for cost-effective, all-weather defense.