L3Harris Technologies has secured a three-year contract worth up to $60m to develop a long-range, manoeuvrable interceptor missile for the US Army’s Xtended Range Counter-sUAS (XRC) programme.
The company was selected to enter the second phase of the project, which includes flight performance testing of a fully integrated interceptor aimed at countering both uncrewed aircraft systems and conventional short-range air defence threats.
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According to L3Harris, the interceptor under development is designed to offer improved range, speed, and operational flexibility compared to current systems in service.
The XRC programme is managed by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Centre and seeks to enhance missile concepts by increasing engagement range, reducing reaction time, boosting lethality, improving reliability, and decreasing reload times for both fixed and mobile counter-sUAS (C-sUAS) deployment.
L3Harris propulsion systems, missile solutions president Scott Alexander said: “We are leveraging L3Harris’ deep technical expertise across propulsion, guidance and advanced manufacturing to deliver a next-generation interceptor that meets the Army’s evolving mission requirements.
“This design combines innovative propulsion with advanced seeker technologies to provide a highly capable, modular and cost-effective solution deployable from existing launch platforms.”
The company stated that its counter-sUAS solution is being developed for compatibility with current US military platforms, with the goal of enabling swift integration into existing operational frameworks.
This approach includes developing air-breathing ramjet propulsion for enhanced fuel efficiency and extended engagement ranges.
Ramjet engines use a vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air, mixing it with fuel and creating thrust at speeds typically above Mach 2.
Unlike conventional systems with compressors or turbines, ramjets operate using high-speed airflow, usually after an initial boost from a solid rocket motor or turbojet engine.
Last week, L3Harris opened a new solid rocket motor manufacturing facility in Camden, Arkansas, supporting the US Army’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and related programmes.
