U.S. Air Force Seeks New Weapon Systems to Guard Bases From Drone Attacks
Washington, Monday, 20 July 2026.
Spurred by recent drone attacks on U.S. installations, the Air Force is procuring its own ground-based air defenses, ending a decades-old reliance on the Army for base security.
A Shift in Strategy: Air Force Takes Control
On July 19, 2026, the United States Air Force officially issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify industry partners capable of delivering a new Ground-Based Launcher system [1]. This move signals a significant shift in U.S. military strategy, as the service seeks to independently defend its installations against cruise missiles and a wide range of unmanned aerial systems [1]. The procurement effort, managed by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, highlights an urgent push to secure vulnerable airfields amid escalating global geopolitical tensions [4].
Rising Vulnerabilities and Recent Strikes
The urgency behind this initiative is underscored by recent hostile actions. On July 16, 2026, Riki Ellison, Chairman and Founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), revealed that a U.S. military base had been attacked by drones just days prior, on July 12, 2026 [2]. This incident follows devastating Iranian strikes earlier this year, between March 5 and April 6, 2026, which damaged or destroyed critical U.S. assets in the Middle East, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS, five KC-135 tankers at Saudi airbases, and multiple air defense radars [1]. Furthermore, past drone incursions, such as those at Langley Air Base during the tenure of retired General Glen VanHerck, and operational impacts from Operation “Epic Fury” have exposed critical gaps in domestic and forward-operating base security [2].
Rigid Technical Specifications for Industry Partners
The Air Force’s new Ground-Based Launcher system must be a transportable, self-contained solution capable of countering threats ranging from Group 1 drones weighing less than 9.5 kg to massive Group 5 systems exceeding 598.7 kg, as well as cruise missiles [1][4]. According to the RFI, interested defense contractors must outline specific operational performance metrics, including the firing rate across all magazines and total magazine depth [1]. Additionally, the system must demonstrate seamless integration with command and control (C2) networks to ensure rapid sensor data dissemination and weapons cueing, adhering to the safety standards of the 2012 Joint Staff publication JP 3-01, “Countering Air and Missile Threats” [1].