Northrop Grumman to develop ramjet propulsion for U.S. Army counter-drone missile prototypes aimed at extending air defense range

Northrop Grumman received a US Army award to develop solid-fuel ramjet propulsion for prototype counter-drone missiles intended to engage threats at greater range. A ramjet can sustain powered high-speed flight after launch, potentially widening the protected area and giving mobile formations more time to defeat incoming unmanned aircraft. The effort is a propulsion-development and prototyping activity within layered air defense, not a confirmed production order, and the Army did not disclose the contract value or eventual interceptor quantity. If successful, the technology could complement cheaper guns and electronic warfare while reserving costly interceptors for harder targets.