U.S. Air Force Seeks Mobile Medium-Caliber Air Defense Gun to Counter Drones and Cruise Missiles

The U.S. Air Force has issued a request for information seeking a low-cost, ground-based air defense gun that can be rapidly deployed to protect bases and other limited-infrastructure battlefields, according to Jiemian News. The proposed system must be modular, lightweight and transportable, and is intended to provide sustained defense against aerial threats. The service said the weapon should meet 15 basic performance requirements, including the ability to intercept subsonic cruise missiles, small drones and large drones flying at altitudes of about 5,500 meters. The move comes after recent Iranian attacks on U.S. military targets in the Middle East damaged several U.S. bases, prompting efforts to strengthen base air defenses, according to the report.