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The U.S. Army seeks a new surface-to-air missile to efficiently destroy small drones.

The U.S. Army is seeking a new surface-to-air missile, known as the Next Generation C-sUAS Missile (NGCM), to defeat small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) threats. The project aims to develop an extended-range, quick-response missile that can intercept drones flying at 6 kilometers altitude and a range of more than 16 kilometers. The Army wants the missile to be compatible with the existing Coyote Launch System and other air defense systems. This new weapon is intended to stop Group 2 and 3 drones, which are smaller and less expensive than traditional air defense systems. The Army aims to have prototype testing in the field by the end of fiscal 2027, with 50 missiles ready for operational assessment by the beginning of 2028. The goal is to produce 5,000 missiles at a cost of less than $150,000 each, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive systems like the Patriot missile. While lasers and microwaves are also being explored as anti-drone technologies, the NGCM missile offers a's reliability in various weather conditions.

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