Pentagon Signs Multi-Year Deals to Mass-Produce 28,000 Low-Cost Cruise Missiles
The Pentagon announced framework agreements on July 15 with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies to mass-produce affordable cruise missiles under the FAMM program. The U.S. Air Force plans to acquire 28,000 missiles over five years for $12.6 billion, with production ramping to 8,000 annually. Missiles cost about $218,000 each—far cheaper than the $1.3 million JASSM—and include variants with ranges of 250–500 miles, plus an extended-range version over 1,200 miles. Deliveries are expected to start in 2027, pending testing and congressional approval.
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Reports are grouped by semantic similarity and deterministic rules. Language models may assist titles, summaries, translation and cross-source analysis; the page itself is projected from evidence records.
- Current automated evidence projection
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Pentagon Discloses Conditions for FAMM Missile Production Starting Next Year
The Pentagon has entered the production phase of its Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM), a low-cost air-launched cruise missile program. Contractors Anduril, CoAspire, and Zero 5 will build variants (Barracuda-500, RAACM, Rusty Dagger) in lugged and palletised forms, launched from fighter jets or transport aircraft. Each missile carries a 100lb warhead with a stand-off range over 500 nautical miles, targeting a unit cost of $218,000—far cheaper than the $1.3 million JASSM. Initial deliveries are expected in 2027, with annual funding for seven years subject to congressional approval. The program emerged in late 2025 to address a production-consumption deficit exposed by US strikes against Iran, where the Air Force had to scale down advanced missile use after only seven days. FAMM is among the first programs under the Department of War's new acquisition protocols prioritizing rapid development and contractor incentives for meeting production schedules.
Pentagon Launches Production of Low-Cost Family of Affordable Mass Missiles
The US Department of War has initiated the production phase of its Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM), a program designed to field low-cost air-launched cruise missiles at approximately $218,000 per unit, compared to $1.3m for existing JASSM missiles. Three contractors—Anduril, CoAspire, and Zero 5—will build lugged and palletised variants under framework agreements, with initial deliveries expected in 2027. The missiles feature a 100lb warhead and over 500 nautical miles stand-off range. The program emerged in late 2025 amid concerns over missile production rates versus consumption, highlighted by US strikes against Iran that forced the Air Force to scale down advanced missile use after only seven days. The Pentagon will fund the program annually for seven years, subject to congressional approval. FAMM is among the first programs under new DoW acquisition protocols prioritizing rapid development cycles and contractor incentives for meeting production schedules.
Anduril ramps up Barracuda-500 production for US DoD
The US Department of War (DoW) has signed a framework agreement with Anduril Industries to scale production of the Barracuda-500 stand-off munition, including pallet- and lug-launched variants. The two-phase deal aims to purchase up to 8,000 systems per year, with deliveries starting in 2027 and continuing for seven years. This builds on prior contracts under the Ground-Launched Low-Cost Containerised Munition programme, where Anduril will deliver 1,000 Barracuda-500M units annually for three years. The Barracuda-500 family, developed under the US Air Force's FAMM initiative, shares over 90% components across variants. Anduril has invested $40m in a Southern California plant and plans to move to a larger Ohio facility in 2026. Separately, the DoW added CoAspire to the FAMM programme, contributing its RAACM missile family. Overall, 28,000 FAMM missiles are planned for delivery over five years starting FY2027, pending congressional approval.
Show 11 older updatesHide older updates
US Air Force Signs Framework Deals for Low-Cost Cruise Missiles Under FAMM Program
The U.S. Air Force has reached framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, aiming to procure thousands of low-cost cruise missiles at roughly $218,000 per round—far cheaper than the $1.3 million Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. The program includes a lugged variant (FAMM-L) for fighters and bombers and a palletized variant (FAMM-P) for airlifters, both with ranges of 250 to 500 miles. Deliveries are expected to start in 2027, with a target of up to 8,000 rounds annually across all vendors. The Pentagon plans to buy 28,000 missiles over five years for $12.6 billion, pending congressional approval. The deals are part of the Acquisition Transformation Strategy to expand the defense industrial base and attract nontraditional suppliers.
US Air Force turns to cheaper cruise missiles it can buy by the thousands
The U.S. Air Force has reached framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, aiming to produce low-cost cruise missiles for approximately $218,000 each, a fraction of the $1.3 million cost of current JASSM missiles. The program includes a lugged variant (FAMM-L) for fighters and bombers and a palletized variant (FAMM-P) for airlifters, both with ranges of 250-500 miles. The Pentagon plans to buy up to 8,000 rounds per year across all vendors, with a five-year budget projection of 28,000 missiles for $12.6 billion. Deliveries are expected to start in 2027, pending testing and congressional approval. The initiative is part of the Pentagon's Acquisition Transformation Strategy to expand the defense industrial base and attract private investment.
US Air Force Signs Framework Deals for Low-Cost Cruise Missiles Under FAMM Program
The U.S. Air Force has reached framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, aiming to acquire thousands of low-cost cruise missiles for approximately $218,000 each, a fraction of the $1.3 million cost of traditional JASSM missiles. The program includes lugged (FAMM-L) and palletized (FAMM-P) variants with ranges of 250-500 miles. Deliveries are expected to start in 2027, with the Air Force planning to buy up to 8,000 rounds annually across all vendors. The Pentagon projects 28,000 missiles over five years for $12.6 billion. The agreements are part of the Acquisition Transformation Strategy to expand the defense industrial base and attract nontraditional suppliers. Actual purchases depend on congressional approval of multiyear deals.
US Air Force turns to cheaper cruise missiles it can buy by the thousands
The U.S. Air Force is pursuing a new Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, signing framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies to produce low-cost cruise missiles. The goal is to acquire missiles costing around $218,000 each, a fraction of the $1.3 million price of current JASSM missiles. The program includes lugged (FAMM-L) and palletized (FAMM-P) variants with 250-500 mile ranges. The Pentagon plans to buy up to 8,000 rounds annually across all vendors, with a five-year budget projection of 28,000 missiles for $12.6 billion. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027, pending testing and congressional approval. The initiative is part of the Pentagon's Acquisition Transformation Strategy to expand the defense industrial base and field capabilities faster.
US Air Force Signs Framework Deals for Thousands of Low-Cost Cruise Missiles
The U.S. Air Force has reached framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, aiming to buy thousands of low-cost cruise missiles for approximately $218,000 each—a fraction of the $1.3 million cost of current JASSM missiles. The program includes lugged (FAMM-L) and palletized (FAMM-P) variants with ranges of 250-500 miles. The Pentagon plans to acquire up to 8,000 rounds per year across all vendors, with a five-year budget projection of 28,000 missiles for $12.6 billion. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027, pending testing and congressional approval. The deals are part of the Pentagon's Acquisition Transformation Strategy to expand the defense industrial base and attract private investment.
US Air Force Signs Framework Deals for Low-Cost Cruise Missiles Under FAMM Program
The U.S. Air Force has reached framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, aiming to acquire thousands of low-cost cruise missiles. The missiles, costing approximately $218,000 each, are intended to replace far more expensive munitions like the JASSM ($1.3 million). The program includes lugged (FAMM-L) and palletized (FAMM-P) variants with ranges of 250-500 miles. The Pentagon plans to buy up to 8,000 rounds annually across all vendors, with a five-year budget projection of $12.6 billion for 28,000 missiles. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027, pending testing and Congressional approval. The initiative is part of the Pentagon's Acquisition Transformation Strategy to expand the industrial base and field capabilities faster.
US Air Force Signs Framework Agreements for Low-Cost Cruise Missiles Under FAMM Program
The U.S. Air Force has reached framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, aiming to produce thousands of low-cost cruise missiles. The missiles, costing around $218,000 each, are intended to replace far more expensive munitions like the JASSM, which costs over $1.3 million per unit. The program includes a lugged variant (FAMM-L) for fighters and bombers and a palletized variant (FAMM-P) for airlifters, with ranges of 250 to 500 miles. The Pentagon plans to buy up to 8,000 rounds annually across all vendors, with a five-year budget projection of $12.6 billion for 28,000 missiles. Deliveries are expected to start in 2027, pending testing, qualification, and congressional approval. The agreements are part of the Pentagon's Acquisition Transformation Strategy to expand the defense industrial base and attract private investment.
USAF Plans To Buy 28,000 Low-Cost Cruise Missiles In Five Years Advance With New Deals
The Pentagon has signed new framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 to accelerate the U.S. Air Force's Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, which aims to acquire nearly 28,000 low-cost air-launched cruise missiles over the next five years. The FAMM program includes lug-launched (FAMM-L), pallet-launched (FAMM-P), and extended-range (FAMM-BAR) variants. Anduril will supply versions of its Barracuda-500M missile, which has already completed successful flight tests, while Zone 5 will provide the AGM-188A Rusty Dagger. The deals establish seven-year multi-year procurement agreements subject to congressional approval, reflecting a strategy to rapidly scale production of affordable, high-volume standoff weapons to counter evolving threats.
USAF Plans To Buy 28,000 Low-Cost Cruise Missiles In Five Years Advance With New Deals
The Pentagon has signed framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 to accelerate the U.S. Air Force's Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, which aims to acquire nearly 28,000 low-cost air-launched cruise missiles over the next five years. The missiles will include lugged (FAMM-L), palletized (FAMM-P), and extended-range (FAMM-BAR) variants. Anduril will supply versions of its Barracuda-500 design, while Zone 5 will provide the AGM-188A Rusty Dagger. The deals establish seven-year multi-year agreements subject to congressional approval. The effort is part of a broader Pentagon strategy to rapidly field affordable, scalable munitions to counter evolving threats, complementing a separate program for 10,000 ground-launched cruise missiles (LCCM) and 12,000 Blackbeard hypersonic missiles.
Pentagon Announces Multiyear Deals to Mass-Produce Affordable Cruise Missiles
The Pentagon announced framework agreements on July 15 with three companies—Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies—to mass-produce affordable air-to-ground cruise missiles for the U.S. Air Force. The deals aim to stabilize demand signals to industry and produce up to 8,000 missiles annually under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program. The missiles, including Anduril's Barracuda, CoAspire's RAACM, and Zone 5's AGM-188 Rusty Dagger, are designed to provide cheaper firepower and replenish depleted stockpiles. The program is overseen by the Air Force's Portfolio Acquisition Executive office at Eglin AFB. Congress authorized five-year production contracts, with the Pentagon seeking seven-year authorization in the FY2027 bill. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand the defense industrial base and prepare for potential multi-theater conflicts.
Pentagon Announces Multiyear Deals to Mass-Produce Affordable Cruise Missiles
The Pentagon announced framework agreements on July 15 with three companies—Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies—to mass-produce affordable air-to-ground cruise missiles for the U.S. Air Force under the FAMM (Focused Affordable Munitions) program. The deals aim to stabilize demand signals to industry and ramp up production to 8,000 missiles annually. The missiles include Anduril's Barracuda, CoAspire's RAACM, and Zone 5's AGM-188 Rusty Dagger, with ranges of 250 to 500 miles for fighter and airlift aircraft. The Air Force plans to acquire 28,000 FAMM missiles over five years at a cost of $12.6 billion, with procurement starting at $355 million for 1,000 missiles in 2027. The program also includes a longer-range variant, FAMM-Beyond Adversary Reach, capable of flying over 1,200 miles to hit slow-moving ships. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand the defense industrial base and field cheaper firepower for future conflicts.