Pentagon Signs Framework Agreements With Defense Firms for Over 10,000 Low-Cost Containerized Missiles

The Pentagon has reached framework agreements with four defense companies that will enable the purchase of more than 10,000 low-cost containerized missiles over the next three years. The department announced the deals with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos and Zone 5 on Wednesday to launch the Low-Cost Containerized Missiles program.

Purchases of test missiles from the four companies will begin next month, with firm-fixed material unit costs set for production lots in 2027 through 2029. The agreements commit the companies to on-time and on-cost delivery while encouraging investment in research and development and production facilities without direct Pentagon capital outlays for several vendors.

This approach reflects a commercial-style partnership model. Anduril will deliver a minimum of 1,000 surface-launched rounds per year for three years under its agreement, with the first tranche scheduled for the first half of 2027. Leidos will provide an initial 3,000 missiles modeled after its AGM-190A Small Cruise Missile but approximately twice the size, with full system design, development and testing leading to production beginning in 2027.

The Low-Cost Containerized Missiles program aims to field large numbers of inexpensive munitions that can be stored and launched from standard shipping containers. Production under the framework agreements is set to scale in 2027. The Pentagon will begin acquiring test articles from all four companies next month.

The deals establish clear demand signals to American industry while rewarding speed and private-sector investment.