Pentagon launches GBAM initiative seeking long-range precision strike weapons under $250,000 each

Published Jul 27, 06:55 PM UTC

The Pentagon, facing depleted stocks of expensive guided munitions due to the Iran war, has launched the Ground-Based Affordable Mass (GBAM) initiative to develop low-cost, long-range precision strike weapons. The Defense Innovation Unit's GBAM Challenge seeks proposals for autonomously guided weapons costing under $250,000 each, with a range of at least 600 nautical miles and a payload of 35-100 pounds. The Pentagon demands a flight demonstration within 60-90 days and full-scale production within 12-18 months. Winning teams receive a $250,000 prize, with top contenders eligible for up to $5 million for operational test quantities. The government has budgeted up to $250 million for the program. The weapon must function in GPS-denied environments, require no proprietary launch equipment, and have a path to producing 100+ systems monthly. This effort parallels other cost-saving programs like the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM-BAR).