U.S. Army seeks 50mm cannon system to knock down low-altitude drones

The Army’s Maneuver Ammunition Systems office released a Sources-Sought notice seeking developers to create a counter-UAS solution built around Northrop Grumman’s XM913 Bushmaster 50mm autocannon. The proposed system must reliably track, engage and defeat Class 1, 2 and 3 unmanned aerial systems, which include drones weighing up to 20 pounds at low altitude and medium-size platforms up to 1,320 pounds. Contractors are required to submit detailed descriptions of their C-UAS capabilities, fire-control and sensor integration, a test or demonstration plan, and a method for employing 50×228 mm ammunition against the specified targets.

The XM913, originally intended for the Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, can fire up to 200 rounds per minute and switch between high-explosive airburst and armor-piercing sabot rounds. The Army hopes the kinetic solution will provide a cost-effective complement to electronic warfare and laser systems currently being tested. Proposals are due by August 31, 2026, after which a prototype may be commissioned.