Extended Range Attack Munition
The Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) is a United States Air Force (USAF) development program for a low-cost precision-guided air-launched stand-off munition which started in August 2024.[1] The weapon is expected to enter service in late 2026.
Design
[edit]Two separate designs by non-traditional defense companies CoAspire and Zone 5 Technologies will be manufactured. The USAF issued contracts for the ERAM in October 2024 and both designs made a first flight four months later. The program has a $225 million budget, and is managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Armament Directorate.[1]
The ERAM is described as a hybrid between a cruise missile and an advanced guided bomb, carrying a 500 pounds (230 kg) warhead to a range of up to 280 miles (450 km), at speeds of at least 430 mph (690 km/h).[2]
The requirements are in line with Boeing's PJDAM (a powered derivative of the JDAM), a powered version of Raytheon’s Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW) glide bomb, or those of Northrop Grumman's "Gray Wolf" design.[3]
Delivery plans
[edit]It is planned to deliver a first batch of 840 ERAMs in October 2026. Ukraine will receive some of this batch for use in the Russo-Ukrainian War, and is cleared to purchase up to 3,350 ERAMs including spares and support equipment for an estimated cost of $825 million.[1][4] Ukraine is expected to use funding from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and United States Foreign Military Financing for the purchase.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Trimble, Steve (5 September 2025). "U.S. Innovation Hurries New Cruise Missile To Ukraine". Aviation Week. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Cleave, Iona (29 August 2025). "Trump sends thousands of 'cheap and powerful' missiles to Ukraine". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (11 July 2025). "Air Force's Cheap And Fast To Produce Long-Range Missile Is Being Built For Ukraine". The War Zone. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Stone, Mike; Jones, Ryan Patrick (28 August 2025). "US State Department approves potential sale of air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine". Reuters. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Ukraine – Air Delivered Munitions". Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
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