"Air Defense Missile 'Too Expensive': U.S. Military Seeks Low-Cost Air Defense Cannons"
According to news from the United States on the 9th, recent attacks by Iran on U.S. military targets in the Middle East have caused damage to multiple U.S. military bases. To enhance the air defense capabilities of these bases, the U.S. military is seeking to develop a mobile, medium-caliber air defense artillery system to intercept drones and cruise missiles.
The U.S. Air Force recently issued a request for information, seeking a low-cost, land-based air defense artillery that can continuously respond to aerial threats. According to the requirements, the new air defense artillery must meet 15 basic performance indicators, including the ability to intercept subsonic cruise missiles, small drones, and large drones flying at altitudes of approximately 5,500 meters.
The U.S. Air Force emphasized that the new air defense artillery should adopt a modular design, be lightweight and easy to transport, and be capable of rapid deployment to combat zones with limited infrastructure to address sudden threats, while also ensuring high cost-effectiveness.
Reports suggest that the U.S. Air Force's pursuit of such weapons reflects a prominent issue facing the U.S. military's air defense system, namely that the cost of air defense missiles often far exceeds that of incoming targets, and the consumption of stockpiles is significant.
According to data released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the end of July, the U.S. military has consumed approximately 65% of its "Patriot" air defense system interceptors in the U.S.-Iran conflict, and the stockpile of interceptors for the "THAAD" system has also decreased by 38% compared to before the conflict.
The U.S. Air Force is developing a mobile, medium-caliber air defense artillery system to counter drone and cruise missile threats following recent Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Middle East. This new system aims to provide a cost-effective solution to enhance air defense capabilities, addressing the high costs and consumption rates of existing missile systems.
- Iran has attacked U.S. military targets in the Middle East, damaging several bases.
- The U.S. Air Force is seeking a low-cost, mobile air defense artillery system.
- The new system must intercept subsonic cruise missiles and small drones.
- The U.S. has consumed approximately 65% of its Patriot missile interceptors in the conflict with Iran.
- The new artillery system is required to be lightweight and modular for rapid deployment.