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Army Awards Anduril Minimum 3,000 Containerized Cruise Missiles Under 3-Year Pentagon Program
Anduril will supply at least 1,000 SLB-500M missiles annually under a three-year framework agreement as part of the Pentagon’s Low-Cost Containerized Missiles program. The program seeks more than 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles from four companies over three years, with an assessment phase scheduled for June. U.S. Army Lt. Gen.
May 15, 3:27 PM·2m read1 source
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U.S. Army beginning in 2027. Over the course of a three-year framework agreement, the company will supply the Army with a minimum of 1,000 surface-launched Barracuda-500Ms per year.
The SLB-500Ms have a range of over 500 nautical miles and are equipped with a 100-pound munition payload. The munitions are built into standard 20-foot shipping containers that can be loaded with up to 16 all-up rounds. It can then be transported and placed at the desired launch point, where an operator can use Anduril’s AI-enabled Lattice software or other fire control tech to select targets, munition combinations and coordinate launches.
The missiles permit a 30-hour assembly using only 10 common hand tools. Anduril is expected to increase production to single-digit thousands of Barracuda-500s by the end of 2026. Production of the munitions will soon commence at Anduril’s new 5-million-square-foot facility in Columbus, Ohio.
The Pentagon’s Low-Cost Containerized Missiles program aims to obtain over 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles from four companies over a three-year span. CoAspire, Leidos and Zone 5 comprise the Pentagon’s Low-Cost Containerized Missiles program alongside Anduril. The LCCM program’s assessment phase, which includes the purchasing of test missiles from the companies, is set for June.
Defense News reported these details from both the company and the Pentagon. U.S. Army Lt. Gen.
Matthew McFarlane, commanding general of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, said that developing these types of low-cost munitions is vital to adapting to modern warfare.
