Northrop Grumman Advances Extended-Range Counter-Drone Missile

CounterUASWorld Summary

Northrop Grumman has received an $18.8 million U.S. Army contract to develop solid-fuel ramjet propulsion technology for the eXtended Range Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (XRC) program. The propulsion system is designed to increase missile range, energy, and effectiveness against highly maneuverable drone and aerial threats by using atmospheric oxygen during flight. The technology will be integrated into XRC missile prototypes supporting the Army’s Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) mission. The program includes ground and flight testing to validate performance and support scalable production. As drone threats continue to evolve, the XRC program is expected to enhance the Army’s layered air defense architecture by providing longer-range interception capabilities and improved protection for maneuvering forces and critical infrastructure.