Northrop Grumman tests larger calibre bullets to counter drone swarms

Published 03/10/2025, 16:18
Northrop Grumman tests larger calibre bullets to counter drone swarms

Investing.com -- U.S. defense firm Northrop Grumman is developing higher calibre cannon bullets to shoot down drones at greater distances, responding to feedback from Ukrainian soldiers facing increasing swarms of high-flying unmanned aircraft, according to Reuters.

The company has already supplied Ukraine with its counter unmanned aircraft system, known as M-ACE, which uses a medium-calibre cannon to shoot down drones. According to Northrop Grumman Vice President Steve O’Bryan, Ukrainian forces have provided positive feedback about the system but requested greater range capabilities.

"They love the system. They want more range because they want to shoot these things down further out, which completely makes sense... So we’re taking that feedback," O’Bryan said at the Warsaw Security Forum this week.

Governments worldwide are seeking cost-effective solutions to counter low-cost drones. Currently, shooting down drones with bullets, which cost pennies or dollars each, is considered the most economical approach. This contrasts sharply with interceptor missiles like the Patriot, which can cost millions of dollars per unit.

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