L3Harris Wins Up to $60M US Army Contract for Ramjet Counter-Drone Missile

L3Harris Technologies received a three-year contract worth up to $60M from the U.S. Army to develop a long-range, ramjet-powered missile designed to intercept small and medium drones, aircraft, and helicopters. Announced on October 23, 2026, the award moves L3Harris into the second phase of the Xtended Range Counter-sUAS Missile (XRC) program, which covers flight performance testing of a fully integrated interceptor. The full $60M contract value depends on continued funding as testing progresses. Unlike conventional rocket motors that carry internal oxidizer, the interceptor uses an air-breathing ramjet engine that pulls oxygen from the atmosphere to free up internal volume for extra fuel and extend range. The U.S. Army designed the XRC program to fire from existing Stinger Vehicle Universal Launchers and M-SHORAD vehicles while outranging the current Stinger missile against larger, higher-altitude drones. Northrop Grumman also received an $18.8M agreement under the same program earlier in the fall to test solid fuel ramjet propulsion through December 2029. "This design combines innovative propulsion with advanced seeker technologies to provide a highly capable, modular and cost-effective solution deployable from existing launch platforms." — Scott Alexander, President of Propulsion Systems at L3Harris Missile Solutions.