U.S. Navy Awards $65M Contract for Zone 5's Combat-Proven Rusty Dagger Missile
On August 21, 2026, the U.S. Navy awarded Zone 5 Technologies (a Kongsberg subsidiary) a $65 million contract under the CHAOS program to produce the AGM-188A Rusty Dagger cruise missile. This low-cost, battle-tested weapon has demonstrated precision and high survivability against Russian air defenses in Ukraine. The program aims to deliver thousands of affordable, modular surface-launched cruise missiles to U.S. and allied forces by 2028, with sea-based and air-launched variants planned.
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U.S. Navy awards second CHAOS contract for cheap missiles
The U.S. Navy has awarded Zone 5 Technologies a $65 million contract to develop a maritime strike variant of its AGM-188 Rusty Dagger cruise missile under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. This is the second CHAOS contract, following a $70 million award to CoAspire in July for its RAACM-ER missile. The Rusty Dagger, originally developed for the U.S. Air Force's Extended Range Attack Munition program, is a low-cost, subsonic cruise missile weighing about 200 kg with a range exceeding 930 km. It has already seen combat use in Ukraine. Zone 5, now a Kongsberg company, will design, build, test, and deliver the missile variant. The program aims to field affordable, scalable precision strike weapons for the U.S. and its allies against land and maritime targets.
U.S. Navy Awards Second CHAOS Contract for Low-Cost Maritime Strike Missile
The U.S. Navy has awarded Zone 5 Technologies a $65 million contract to develop a maritime strike variant of its AGM-188 Rusty Dagger cruise missile under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. This is the second CHAOS contract, following a $70 million award to CoAspire in July for its RAACM-ER missile. The Rusty Dagger, originally developed for the U.S. Air Force's Extended Range Attack Munition program, is a low-cost, subsonic cruise missile weighing about 200 kg with a range exceeding 930 km. It has already seen combat use in Ukraine. Zone 5, now a Kongsberg company, will design, build, test, and deliver the missile variant, leveraging its experience with precision strike weapons across multiple service branches and international partners.
Zone 5's AGM-188 missile selected for US Navy CHAOS programme
The US Navy has awarded a $65 million Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to Zone 5 Technologies to develop and deliver a new cruise missile variant, the AGM-188 Rusty Dagger, under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) programme. This selection marks a key step in the Navy's effort to acquire affordable, heterogeneous offensive strike capabilities. The contract value and the specific missile variant highlight the program's focus on cost-effective, advanced munitions for coalition operations.
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Zone 5's AGM-188 Missile Selected for US Navy CHAOS Programme
The US Navy has awarded a $65 million Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to Zone 5 Technologies to develop and deliver the AGM-188 Rusty Dagger cruise missile under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) programme. The missile, designed for precision strikes against land and maneuvering maritime targets, features a 460km range, a 260kg warhead, and jamming-resistant navigation. The contract, brokered by CMG Networks for the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium, supports integration with US and allied forces. The CHAOS initiative aims to provide affordable, scalable strike weapons, potentially via Foreign Military Sales. Zone 5 CEO Thomas Akers highlighted the partnership's role in delivering scalable maritime strike capabilities. The US Navy also recently selected CoAspire for a ground-launched variant under the same program, emphasizing rapid, multi-vendor acquisition.
Zone 5's AGM-188 missile selected for US Navy CHAOS programme
The US Navy has awarded a $65 million Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to Zone 5 Technologies to develop the AGM-188 Rusty Dagger cruise missile under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. The missile, designed for cost-effective precision strikes against land and maritime targets, features a 460 km range, a 260 kg warhead, and jamming-resistant navigation. The contract, brokered by CMG Networks for the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium, includes design, development, testing, and delivery for US Navy and coalition forces. The CHAOS program aims to supply affordable, scalable strike weapons to the US and allies, potentially via Foreign Military Sales. Zone 5 CEO Thomas Akers expressed pride in partnering with the Navy. The initiative is supported by the Navy's Precision Strike Weapons program office. Last month, the Navy also selected CoAspire for a ground-launched variant under the same program, highlighting the multi-vendor, rapid acquisition approach.
Zone 5 Technologies Selected for US Navy's CHAOS Program
The U.S. Navy has awarded Zone 5 Technologies a $65 million contract under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program to develop the AGM-188 Rusty Dagger cruise missile. The contract, managed by PMX-201, aims to provide affordable, scalable precision weapons against land and maritime targets for the U.S. and its allies. Zone 5, part of Kongsberg since 2025, will develop, build, test, and deliver the missile using an accelerated Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) process. A second company, CoAspire, also received a CHAOS contract. The program employs a Partner-First approach with open system architectures to enable rapid technology transfer and potential co-production with allies. Initial ground-based capability is expected by 2028, with sea-based and air-launched variants planned later. The program addresses obsolescence and supply chain issues while expanding the defense industrial base.
Zone 5 Technologies Selected for US Navy's CHAOS Program
The US Navy has awarded a $65 million contract to Zone 5 Technologies under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. Zone 5, part of Kongsberg since 2025, will develop, build, test, and deliver the CHAOS version of its AGM-188 Rusty Dagger cruise missile. The contract, managed by PMX-201, aims to provide affordable, scalable precision weapons against land and maritime targets, addressing obsolescence and supply chain issues. A second company, CoAspire, also received a CHAOS contract. The program uses an accelerated OTA process and a 'Partner-First' approach to enable rapid technology transfer to allies, with open system architectures for co-production. An initial ground-based capability is expected by 2028, with sea-based and air-launched variants planned. International partner requirements have been incorporated from the start.
Zone 5 Technologies Awarded US Navy CHAOS Program Contract for AGM-188 Cruise Missile
The US Navy has selected Zone 5 Technologies, a Kongsberg subsidiary since 2025, for a $65 million contract under the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. The contract, awarded via an accelerated Other Transaction Agreement through CMG Networks, tasks Zone 5 with developing, building, testing, and delivering the CHAOS version of its AGM-188 Rusty Dagger cruise missile. The program, managed by PMX-201, aims to provide affordable, scalable precision weapons against land and maritime targets for the US and its allies, addressing obsolescence and supply chain issues. A second company, CoAspire, also received a CHAOS contract. The program adopts a 'Partner-First' approach for rapid technology transfer to allies, using open system architectures. Initial ground-based capability is expected by 2028, with sea-based and air-launched variants planned later.
U.S. Navy Awards Contract for Zone 5's Combat-Proven Rusty Dagger Cruise Missile
The U.S. Navy has awarded Zone 5 Technologies, a Kongsberg company, a contract to produce its combat-proven Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile for the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. Announced on August 21, 2026, this is the second contract under CHAOS, which aims to deliver modular, surface-launched cruise missiles to U.S. and allied partners. Unlike competitor CoAspire's RAACM-ER, Rusty Dagger (AGM-188A) has been battle-tested in contested Russian airspace during the Ukraine conflict, demonstrating extreme precision and high survival rates against advanced air defenses. The missile is already in production for Ukraine's Air Force and is also used in the U.S. Air Force's Extended Range Attack Munition program. The CHAOS program is part of a Pentagon push for low-cost, high-capacity strike weapons, with thousands of new cruise missiles expected in coming years. Zone 5 CEO Thomas Akers expressed excitement about delivering immediate capability to U.S. warfighters and allies.
U.S. Navy Awards Contract For Zone 5's Combat-Proven Rusty Dagger Cruise Missile
The U.S. Navy has awarded Zone 5 Technologies, a Kongsberg company, a contract to produce its combat-proven Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile for the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. Announced on August 21, 2026, this is the second contract under the CHAOS effort, which aims to deliver modular, surface-launched cruise missiles to U.S. and allied partners. Unlike competitors, Rusty Dagger (designated AGM-188A) has been battle-tested in Ukraine, where it has demonstrated extreme precision and high survival rates against advanced Russian air defenses. The missile is already in production for Ukraine's Air Force and is considered a production-ready asset for the Navy. The CHAOS program is part of the Pentagon's push for low-cost, high-capacity strike weapons, with thousands of new cruise missiles expected in coming years.
U.S. Navy Awards Contract for Zone 5's Combat-Proven Rusty Dagger Cruise Missile
The U.S. Navy has awarded Zone 5 Technologies, a Kongsberg company, a contract to produce its combat-proven Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile for the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike (CHAOS) program. Announced on August 21, 2026, this is the second contract under the CHAOS effort, which aims to deliver modular, surface-launched cruise missiles to U.S. and allied partners. The Rusty Dagger, designated AGM-188A, has been battle-tested in Ukraine, where it demonstrated extreme precision and high survival rates against advanced Russian air defenses. This gives Zone 5 a significant advantage over competitors like CoAspire and Anduril. The missile is already in production for Ukraine's Air Force and is considered a production-ready asset for the U.S. Navy, which seeks to rapidly replenish stocks after high expenditures in Iran. The program aligns with the Pentagon's push for low-cost, high-capacity strike weapons.