The U.S. military develops long-range anti-drone missiles with ramjet engines for farther interception

The U.S. Army is developing a long-range interceptor missile using a ramjet engine to target larger drones that fly at higher altitudes or can operate from longer distances. U.S. defense company L3Harris Technologies announced on the 23rd that it had won a three-year contract worth up to US$60 million (approximately NT$1.95 billion) and has entered the second phase of the relevant plan to conduct flight performance testing of the integrated interceptor.

The military website "Defence Blog" reported that this project is called the Extended Range Counter-sUAS Missile (XRC) and is promoted by the Aviation and Missile Center of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. The Army hopes to develop an interceptor weapon with a longer range than the current Stinger missile to deal with the threat of drones that attack from longer distances.

The design of this interceptor missile focuses on the ramjet engine. Traditional rocket engines must carry fuel and the oxidizer required for combustion. Ramjet engines use the air inhaled during flight to provide oxygen, which can reduce the space occupied by carrying oxidizer and allow the design to have more space for fuel configuration.

L3Harris said this design helps improve fuel efficiency and extend combat range. The company is also working to make the interceptor compatible with existing US military launch platforms so that it can be integrated into existing air defense systems. However, this announcement did not disclose the actual range, flight speed or interception success rate of the missile.

The target is not just drones

The XRC program also targets traditional short-range air defense threats, including aircraft and helicopters. The U.S. Army hopes that the new interceptor missile can be launched from the Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher and be used with equipment such as the Mobile Short-Range Air Defense System (M-SHORAD) to provide air defense cover for mobile troops.

In addition to L3Harris, Northrop. Northrop Grumman is also involved in the XRC project. The company earlier received an $18.8 million agreement from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Center to develop and integrate a solid-fuel ramjet propulsion system for the XRC prototype missile. Relevant ground and flight test planning continues until December 2029.

The L3Harris contract lasts for three years, with a maximum total value of US$60 million, still dependent on subsequent funding injections.