Army seeks ideas using rapid-fire 50mm cannons to shoot down drones

The U.S. Army is seeking ideas for a rapid-fire 50mm cannon and specialized ammunition to shoot down small- to medium-sized drones on the battlefield.

The “Sources Sought” posting on the government contracting website SAM.gov comes from the Army’s Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems office. Submissions would “integrate a 50mm ammunition solution to effectively track, engage and defeat Class 1, 2, and 3 UAS threats.”

The posting does not include specific technical or budget details and is meant as a first step to gauge industry interest in pursuing the concept.

“This is a market survey, not a pre-solicitation notice,” the posting says.

The deadline for submissions is Aug. 31.

While the conflict with Iran has seen wide use of larger, long-range drones, such as the Iranian Shahed-136 and the U.S. LUCAS, smaller drones have been a key feature of ground combat in the war between Russia and Ukraine. They are expected to be a key feature in future ground conflicts involving U.S. forces.

Aerial drones can scout routes, survey front lines and carry explosives targeting vehicles or troops. The potential for swarms of small drones has led to a “maneuver stalemate” along portions of the Russian-Ukrainian front because commanders don’t want to risk exposing troops and equipment.

The U.S. is pursuing a range of counter-drone options, including cheaper and smaller anti-drone missiles, radar and energy weapons that can throw drones off course, as well as rapid-fire cannons.

Class 1 drones weigh up to 20 pounds and operate below 1,200 feet at speeds less than 100 knots. Examples include the AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven, used by the U.S. Army. Individual soldiers or squads can launch these portable small drones.

Class 2 drones weigh up to 55 pounds and fly below 1,500 feet at a top speed of 250 knots. Examples include the Aerovel Flexrotor, used by U.S. forces. With longer loitering times over targets, they can be used to gather intelligence.

Class 3 drones weigh up to 1,320 pounds, can operate at up to 18,000 feet and have a speed below 250 knots. Examples include the Shield AI V-BAT used by the U.S. Marine Corps. They are usually operated at the brigade level or higher and can be launched from ships.

Ideas to shoot down larger drones equivalent to the U.S. MQ-1 Predator (Class 4) and MQ-9 Reaper (Class 5) are not covered by this Sources Sought inquiry.

The U.S. Army is looking for companies to submit ideas for ammunition to shoot down the three groups of drones, which could be tested using Northrop Grumman’s XM913 Bushmaster chain gun. The Army has adopted the gun as the main armament on the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle.

“The XM913 will solidify battlefield advantage with its ability to fire 50x228mm advanced ammunition,” Northrop Grumman says on its website.

Ammunition already designed for the gun includes High Explosive Air Bursting (HEAB) and Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds. A sabot is an enclosure around an armor-piercing round that generates speed as it is fired from the gun, then is shed in flight as the projectile heads toward the target.

Companies submitting ideas are requested to describe their work on C-UAS technology, the types of targets their submission could attack, and a timeline for designing and fielding the weapon.