Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 1, 2026

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. The weapon is expected to enter service in late 2026.

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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

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 The two designs currently being evaluated are Zone 5 Technologies AGM-188 and Anduril Industries AGM-189.

Delivery plans

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.14 Ukraine is expected to use funding from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and United States Foreign Military Financing for the purchase.5

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Trimble, Steve (5 September 2025). "U.S. Innovation Hurries New Cruise Missile To Ukraine". Aviation Week. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  2. Cleave, Iona (29 August 2025). "Trump sends thousands of 'cheap and powerful' missiles to Ukraine". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. "Ukraine – Air Delivered Munitions". Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.