US Air Force seeks versatile ground-based air defense launcher for drones and missiles
TL;DR
The U.S. Air Force issued a Request for Information to solicit a portable, self-contained Ground-Based Launcher capable of defending air bases against cruise missiles and a broad range of drones—from small Group 1 to large Group 5 UAVs—emphasizing high firing rates, large magazine depth, seamless command-and-control integration, integrated sensing, and robust maintenance diagnostics; this follows ongoing threats to bases from Iranian drones and missiles and reflects a broader debate about whether air defense should be Army-led or Air Force-led.
- US Air Force seeking air defense missile system to protect air bases Military Times
- MDAA Alert: “Air Base Defense” (VCRT Summary) Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance
- U.S. military issues request for ground-based air defense system against cruise missiles and drones eciks.org
- U.S. Air Force Base-Defense Search Could Split Spending Across Launchers, Radars and Missiles TechStock²
- U.S. Air Force wants ground launcher for drones and missiles The Defence Blog
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