Noting the lesson learned coming from the Middle East “extended” crises, the US Navy is pushing hard to increase its counter-drone hard-kill capabilities.

In details, the service is trying to rapidly arm ships in two Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) with radar-guided AGM-114L LONGOBOW HELLFIRE (LH) missiles to protect its main pay-off platforms. The Lockheed Martin weapon systems will be integrated into the defense layers already in place against uncrewed aerial threats as the COYOTE interceptors already on board the ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers.

In the US Navy’s 2027 Fiscal Year budget request, a specific item line was dedicated to the requirement: “supplemental funding was provided to rapidly field C-UAV solutions for the Gerald R FORD and Theodore ROOSVELT CSGs which included the procurement of LONGBOW HELLFIRE launchers, COYOTE launchers, and the installation/integration work.” Still unknown when the HELLFIRE will be able to operate in the two designated CSGs.

The AGM-114L has already been combat proved in counter-drone and strike capabilities on board the FREEDOM class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) even if this class of ships is not included in the CSG, which normally uses a mix of TICONDEROGA class cruisers and ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers. The latter has already been able to test – not in combat - the HELLFIRE in C-drone role. In the meantime, Lockheed Martin is working on a dedicated ship-based launch capability for its AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), which is derived from the laser-guided AGM-114R, to be embarked on a four-cell JAGM Quad Launchers (JQL; pronounced “jackal”).

As previously reported by FW Mag, the US Navy is also working to integrate Anduril’s ROADRUNNER-M counter-drone interceptors as well as WHITE SPIKE from Zone 5 Technologies, under a project called Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems – NEXT, or Counter-NEXT. No-kinetic solutions are also under development as the palletised version of the AeroVironment LOCUST laser counter-drone system, tested onboard the NIMITZ class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. BUSH.