RTX develops DeepFires to give U.S. Army autonomous missile launcher for ground strike and air defense.

Unveiled at AUSA 2025 in Washington, RTX’s DeepFires introduces a fully autonomous launcher that can fire both Tomahawk and Patriot missiles. The system could transform how the U.S. Army conducts long-range strikes and air defense, merging two mission sets into one mobile platform.

Washington  D.C., United States, October 16, 2025 - Unveiled at AUSA 2025 in Washington, RTX’s new DeepFires system signals a significant leap in ground-based missile launcher technology. This next-generation autonomous platform combines high mobility with dual-role lethality, enabling it to execute both long-range precision strikes and integrated air and missile defense from a single unmanned vehicle. Designed with battlefield adaptability in mind, DeepFires supports the launch of Tomahawk cruise missiles for strategic deep fires as well as Patriot interceptors for air defense, offering a modular, multi-mission capability unmatched by current U.S. Army launcher systems.
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RTX unveils the DeepFires autonomous missile launcher at AUSA 2025, showcasing its dual-role capability with containerized vertical launch cells for Tomahawk and Patriot missiles integrated on a fully unmanned Oshkosh FMTV A2 6x6 chassis. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The RTX DeepFires Autonomous Missile Launcher is based on an 6x6 FMTV A2 light tactical truck chassis supplied by U.S. Company Oshkosh Defense. Unlike traditional launcher vehicles, this platform has no crew cab or driver compartment. Instead, all systems required for autonomous operation, including navigation, control, and targeting, are fully integrated into a compact forward module. This design not only eliminates the need for onboard personnel but also reduces the vehicle’s visual and radar signature while enhancing internal space for advanced electronics and autonomous control suites.

The rear section of the DeepFires vehicle houses a containerized launcher unit with two rows of vertical missile cells. This modular launcher can be reconfigured based on mission demands, offering a flexible payload mix. Operators can load Tomahawk cruise missiles for deep-penetration strike missions or Patriot missiles for integrated air and missile defense, depending on the threat environment and operational goals. The ability to rapidly shift between offensive and defensive roles from the same autonomous platform introduces a level of battlefield versatility not seen in existing Army launcher systems.

Forterra provides the core autonomy package that enables DeepFires to self-drive, maneuver through complex terrain, and perform mission-critical tasks including missile launches and resupply without human intervention. The autonomy stack features advanced AI-driven navigation, obstacle avoidance, and sensor integration designed for high-threat and GPS-contested environments. Resupply missions can also be conducted autonomously, minimizing logistics burdens and exposure of personnel in forward areas.

Designed for deployment in harsh and austere environments, DeepFires can operate independently of external power sources and sustain itself across long-duration operations. The system’s enhanced payload capacity reduces the frequency of resupply missions, making it ideal for expeditionary warfare where logistics chains are stretched. RTX officials at AUSA emphasized the system’s performance under all-weather conditions and in diverse terrain profiles, reinforcing its utility across the full spectrum of combat operations.

Crucially, DeepFires is C-130 transportable, allowing for rapid intra-theater deployment and early-phase operational readiness. This air mobility makes it possible to preposition long-range fires assets in remote or strategically sensitive locations with minimal infrastructure. For U.S. Army planners focused on distributed operations and mobility in the Indo-Pacific, this feature adds a new layer of responsiveness and deterrent value.

Beyond the hardware, DeepFires represents a strategic evolution in how the U.S. Army can project and sustain lethal force in contested zones. The integration of both strike and air defense munitions into a single unmanned system aligns directly with the Army’s Multi-Domain Operations concept and the modernization priorities under the Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) portfolio. While no acquisition timeline has yet been confirmed, officials at AUSA suggested the system is under strong consideration for accelerated prototyping and operational assessment, with an eye on potential deployment in the Indo-Pacific theater as early as 2026.

RTX’s development of DeepFires in collaboration with Forterra and Oshkosh Defense highlights the increasing convergence of autonomy, modularity, and deep-strike lethality in U.S. ground forces. As near-peer threats expand across multiple domains, systems like DeepFires offer the U.S. Army a critical advantage, delivering precision effects at standoff ranges without risking soldiers on the front lines.

In an era where speed, flexibility, and survivability define battlefield success, DeepFires positions itself not just as a launcher but as a forward-looking node in the U.S. Army’s evolving strike ecosystem.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.