The US Air Force is developing a new precision air-launched munition for Ukraine. A request for information (RFI) for the long-range Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM), capable of over 400km, was issued in January. In July, the Air Force confirmed that ERAM would be used to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
The missile will weigh 220 kg and carry a warhead designed to destroy armoured targets. The munition will have a minimum speed of Mach 0.6, a range of over 400 km and will be able to navigate without GPS, ensuring high accuracy of destruction.
It is reported that the production rate of the new munition will be one thousand units in two years.
This development is part of a wider Pentagon effort to develop new affordable air-launched munitions.