U.S. Special Operations Command Seeks Air-Launched Loitering Munition with 75-Mile Range

U.S. Special Operations Command issued a request for information on June 26 seeking an air-launched loitering munition with extended range and capabilities beyond its current stand-off precision guided munitions. The RFI sets a response deadline of July 27 and outlines detailed performance parameters for the system.

The desired munition must launch from altitudes between 5,000 and 30,000 feet and achieve a range of at least 75 nautical miles. Once over the target area it must loiter for a minimum of 40 minutes at altitudes of 500 to 3,000 feet while maintaining speeds of 50 to 100 knots. Total weight cannot exceed 95 pounds.

Guidance must be passive, relying on radio-emission homing or automatic target recognition. The weapon must launch from SOCOM fixed-wing aircraft and fit either a Common Launch Tube measuring no more than 42 inches long and 5.9 inches in diameter or BRU-71 or BRU-78 weapons racks allowing dimensions up to 90 inches long and 9 inches wide.

The project calls for a single demonstration on the AC-130J Ghostrider or another special operations platform.

The RFI also requests rough cost estimates for orders of 500, 1,000 and 3,000 munitions. Defense News reported that SOCOM ordered AeroVironment’s Switchblade 600 in 2021 for testing as a boat-launched weapon. That system offers a range of more than 55 miles and weighs 33 pounds.

Long-range loitering munitions have seen growing use in recent conflicts. Azerbaijan employed the Israeli-made Harpy during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. Russia used the Banderol, reported to have a 500-mile range and 150-pound warhead, in strikes on Kyiv earlier this month.