US Air Force Wants Over 1000 ERAM Cruise Missiles Delivered in 15 Months for Ukraine Strike Missions.

The United States Air Force is seeking defense manufacturers capable of producing more than 1,000 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) cruise missiles, a new family of air-launched weapons developed to provide Ukraine with affordable long-range strike capabilities. The initiative aims to accelerate production of precision-guided missiles capable of reaching targets hundreds of kilometers away, while testing whether American industry can manufacture such weapons at scale.

An Extended Range Attack Munition live-fire test was conducted Jan. 22, 2026 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. (Picture source: US DoD)

Key Tactical Insights

• Long-Range Strike Capability: ERAM offers a range exceeding 463 km, potentially allowing Ukrainian combat aircraft to strike Russian military targets from greater standoff distances.
• Precision Under Electronic Warfare: The missile is designed to maintain accuracy within 10 meters despite degraded GPS reception and electronic interference. 
• Potential Aircraft Integration: Ukraine's F-16 fighters could employ ERAM against fixed targets such as ammunition depots, command facilities and logistics infrastructure, subject to successful integration.

The requirement comes as the Pentagon increasingly prioritizes relatively inexpensive precision weapons that can be produced in large quantities. For Ukraine, ERAM could provide additional options for striking Russian military infrastructure without relying exclusively on more expensive cruise missiles or exposing combat aircraft to heavily defended areas.

The U.S. Air Force issued the Request for Information on November 2, 2026, through the official SAM.gov procurement platform under notice FA865927W0002. Companies have until November 19 to demonstrate their technical and manufacturing capabilities. The service requires production capacity exceeding 1,000 complete missiles, with initial deliveries no later than three months after a potential contract award and the entire quantity delivered within 15 months. The announcement represents the first stage of a competitive process, not a confirmed production contract.

The proposed timetable places considerable pressure on potential suppliers. It would require manufacturers to establish a reliable production rhythm almost immediately after contract signature, leaving limited time to resolve industrial bottlenecks. The Air Force is therefore assessing not only missile performance but also the ability of contractors to deliver complete weapons within an unusually compressed schedule.

Related News: U.S. Air Force Tests New ERAM Extended Range Attack Munition With Live Warhead

ERAM Missile Requirements Focus on Range and Precision Under Jamming

The ERAM requirement describes a weapon in the 500-pound class, approximately 227 kilograms, capable of reaching targets at distances of at least 250 nautical miles, equivalent to 463 kilometers. The missile must fly at speeds of at least Mach 0.6 and maintain a circular error probable of 10 meters or less, including in environments affected by electromagnetic interference and degraded GPS reception.

Its warhead must combine blast and fragmentation effects with limited penetration capability, supported by variable fuze options. These characteristics are intended for attacks against fixed military targets, including infrastructure and equipment requiring different terminal effects. The notice does not specify the propulsion architecture or final seeker configuration, leaving manufacturers some flexibility in how they meet the requirement.

The program has already completed an important development milestone. On January 21, 2026, the Air Force conducted a live-warhead test at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, less than 16 months after the initial contract award. The demonstration met its primary objectives, including a complete warhead detonation, and involved the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and the 96th Test Wing.

Rusty Dagger and RAACM Emerge as Potential Industrial Solutions

Two American companies are directly associated with ERAM development. Zone 5 Technologies produces the AGM-188 Rusty Dagger, while CoAspire develops the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM). Both were identified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency as principal contractors for Ukraine's proposed ERAM acquisition. However, the latest Air Force notice does not identify a preferred supplier or restrict participation to these manufacturers.

Their industrial readiness is particularly relevant. CoAspire states that RAACM has entered full-rate production at its facility in Manassas, Virginia, using additive manufacturing to simplify production and reduce tooling requirements. In July 2026, the company also announced a framework agreement supporting the Pentagon's Family of Affordable Mass Missiles program, aimed at establishing repeatable high-volume manufacturing.

That initiative extends beyond ERAM. The Pentagon's broader framework involves CoAspire, Zone 5 Technologies and Anduril, with a combined objective of reaching 8,000 affordable missiles annually once production expands. However, this figure represents a wider industrial ambition rather than confirmed ERAM output. Publicly available information does not establish whether either manufacturer can independently deliver more than 1,000 complete ERAM missiles within the schedule requested by the Air Force.

Ukraine Could Gain Additional Long-Range Strike Options

For Ukrainian forces, ERAM's principal operational value lies in combining standoff range with the possibility of sustained missile deliveries. Integrated onto compatible combat aircraft, potentially including Ukraine's F-16 fighters, the weapon could support strikes against Russian ammunition depots, command facilities and logistics infrastructure while allowing aircraft to release their weapons farther from defended targets.

The acquisition also builds on an earlier American authorization. In August 2025, Washington approved a possible $825 million Foreign Military Sale covering up to 3,350 ERAM missiles and associated navigation equipment. The package identified Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway among the funding contributors.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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