The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is proposing development of an air-launched missile coupled with a gun to address counter insurgency (COIN) operations, close air support (CAS) and air-to-air engagement mission sets.
Disclosed in the US Department of Defense FY 2021 Budget Estimates document, the Agency has requested USD13.7 million to develop the concept as part of its Defense-Wide Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget request.
“The Gunslinger programme will develop and demonstrate technologies to enable an air-launched tactical range missile system capable of multi-mission support. This system will utilise the high maneuverability of a missile system coupled with a gun system capable of scalable effects and engagement of multiple targets,” according to RDT&E budget item justification.