SOCOM Seeks Long-Range Kamikaze Drone for Deep Strike Missions
The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) issued a Request for Information on June 26 for a new air-launched loitering munition (ALM), or "kamikaze drone," with a range of at least 75 nautical miles and 40-minute loiter time. Designed for MC-130J and AC-130J aircraft, the lightweight weapon enhances deep-strike capability beyond current systems. SOCOM is seeking cost estimates for up to 3,000 units, drawing lessons from recent conflicts in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh.
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SOCOM seeks long-range kamikaze drone for aircraft launch
The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for a small, long-range air-launched loitering munition, effectively a kamikaze drone. The new Air Loitering Munition (ALM) must have a range of at least 75 nautical miles and loiter for over 40 minutes while weighing under 95 pounds. It would be launched from SOCOM aircraft like the MC-130J or AC-130J at altitudes between 5,000 and 30,000 feet, using passive guidance. The weapon is intended to provide deep-strike capability, allowing aircraft to hunt targets inside enemy lines while staying out of range of air defenses. SOCOM seeks cost estimates for batches of 500, 1,000, and 3,000 munitions, emphasizing innovative approaches. The article notes the growing prominence of long-range loitering munitions, citing their use in the Nagorno-Karabakh War and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Marine Corps TimesSOCOM seeks long-range kamikaze drone for deep strike missions
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) issued a Request for Information on June 26 for a new Air Launched Loitering Munition (ALM), a long-range kamikaze drone. The weapon must have a range of at least 75 nautical miles, a loiter time of 40 minutes, and weigh under 95 pounds. Designed to be launched from fixed-wing SOCOM aircraft like the MC-130J or AC-130J Ghostrider, the ALM would use passive guidance, homing on radio emissions or automatic target recognition. The new system is intended to surpass the current Stand-Off Precision Guided Munition (SOPGM) portfolio. The article notes that while short-range kamikaze drones are common, long-range loitering munitions have seen increased use in conflicts like the Nagorno-Karabakh War and the Russia-Ukraine war. SOCOM is also seeking cost estimates for orders of 500, 1000, and 3000 units.
Marine Corps TimesSOCOM Seeks Long-Range Kamikaze Drone for Air Launch
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is seeking development of an air-launched loitering munition, or kamikaze drone, with extended range and capabilities beyond current systems. According to a June 26 Request For Information, the Air Loitering Munition (ALM) must have a range of at least 75 nautical miles when launched from 5,000-30,000 feet, loiter for over 40 minutes at 500-3,000 feet, maintain 50-100 knots speed, and weigh under 95 pounds. The weapon is intended for SOCOM fixed-wing aircraft like MC-130J gunships, ideally compatible with Common Launch Tubes or standard weapons racks. SOCOM seeks cost estimates for 500, 1000, and 3000 munitions, with a demonstration planned on AC-130J Ghostrider or other platforms. The article contextualizes this within the growing use of long-range loitering munitions in conflicts like Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine-Russia wars.
Defense NewsSOCOM Seeks Long-Range Loitering Munition for Deep Strike Missions
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) issued a Request for Information (RFI) on June 26 seeking an air-launched loitering munition (ALM) with extended range and capabilities. The kamikaze drone must have a range of at least 75 nautical miles, a loiter time of 40 minutes at 500-3,000 feet, and weigh under 95 pounds. It is intended for launch from SOCOM fixed-wing aircraft, including the AC-130J Ghostrider, ideally via a Common Launch Tube. The munition should use passive guidance (radio emission homing or automatic target recognition). SOCOM also requests cost estimates for orders of 500, 1,000, and 3,000 units. The article compares the requirement to existing systems like the Switchblade 600 and notes the increasing battlefield role of long-range loitering munitions, citing examples from Nagorno-Karabakh (Israeli Harpy) and the Russia-Ukraine war (Russian Banderol). The goal is to enable MC-130J gunships to strike deep behind enemy lines while staying out of range of air defenses.
Defense NewsSOCOM Seeks Long-Range Kamikaze Drone for Air-Launched Loitering Munition
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for a long-range air-launched loitering munition (ALM), commonly known as a kamikaze drone. The desired weapon must have a range of at least 75 nautical miles, loiter for 40 minutes at altitudes between 500 and 3,000 feet, and weigh no more than 95 pounds. It will be launched from SOCOM fixed-wing aircraft such as the MC-130J or AC-130J Ghostrider, ideally using a Common Launch Tube or BRU-series racks. The RFI, published June 26 with a July 27 deadline, seeks innovative designs and rough cost estimates for batches of 500, 1,000, and 3,000 munitions. The article notes growing battlefield use of loitering munitions, citing examples from the Nagorno-Karabakh War and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and emphasizes how such weapons could allow SOCOM aircraft to strike deep inside enemy lines while staying clear of air defenses.
Air Force TimesSOCOM Seeks Air-Launched Long-Range Kamikaze Drone for MC-130J Gunships
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for a new air-launched loitering munition, colloquially called a 'kamikaze drone,' designed to extend the range and capabilities of its fixed-wing aircraft, including the AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J gunships. The desired Air Loitering Munition (ALM) must have a range of at least 75 nautical miles when launched from altitudes of 5,000 to 30,000 feet, with a loiter time of at least 40 minutes and a speed of 50-100 knots. It should weigh no more than 95 pounds and be compatible with the Common Launch Tube for versatile deployment. The RFI seeks innovative design approaches and includes requests for rough cost estimates for orders of 500, 1,000, and 3,000 munitions. The potential fielding of such weapons would allow SOCOM aircraft to strike targets deep inside enemy lines while remaining outside the range of enemy air defenses, drawing on lessons from recent conflicts in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh where loitering munitions have been pivotal.
Army TimesSOCOM Seeks Long-Range Kamikaze Drone for Air-Launched Strikes
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on June 26, 2026, seeking an air-launched loitering munition with extended range and capabilities beyond current systems. The desired Air Loitering Munition (ALM) must have a minimum range of 75 nautical miles from an altitude of 5,000 to 30,000 feet, with a loiter time of at least 40 minutes at 500-3,000 feet altitude, speed of 50-100 knots, and weight under 95 pounds. The system would be compatible with SOCOM fixed-wing aircraft including the AC-130J Ghostrider, and ideally fit a Common Launch Tube. The RFI also requests cost estimates for 500, 1,000, and 3,000 munitions. The article draws comparisons to existing systems like AeroVironment's Switchblade 600 and the Israeli-made Harpy, and notes the increasing battlefield prominence of long-range loitering munitions seen in the Nagorno-Karabakh War and Ukraine conflict.
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