Barracuda-M
| Barracuda-M | |
|---|---|
| Type | Subsonic cruise missile |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2024-present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Anduril Industries |
| Developed from | Barracuda AAV |
| Unit cost | < USD$216,000 |
| Variants | Barracuda-100 Barracuda-250 Barracuda-500 |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | Conventional warhead |
| Warhead weight | up to 100lb |
Operational range | Barracuda-100 – 120 nmi (140 mi; 220 km) Barracuda-250 – 200 nmi (230 mi; 370 km) Barracuda-500 – 500 nmi (580 mi; 930 km) |
| Maximum speed | Subsonic; ~Mach 0.74 about 567.7 mph (493.3 kn; 913.6 km/h) |
Launch platform | AH-64 Apache AH-1Z Viper F-35A/B/C Strategic bombers F-15E/EX F/A-18E/F F-16 Ground-launched Ship-launched Rapid Dragon |
Barracuda-M is a medium-range turbojet-powered cruise missile developed by American defence company Anduril Industries.[1] Barracuda-M is the missile variant of the Barracuda AAV loitering munition.[1] Anduril intends to pitch Barracuda to the United States Armed Forces as a low-cost 'hyper-scale production' alternative to comparable systems, such as AGM-158C LRASM.[2]
Barracuda-M is designed to be launched from a plethora of systems, including in-service fighter and multirole aircraft; such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, as well as strategic bombers and various helicopters.[3] The missile is also capable of being launched from Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft via the Rapid Dragon missile system.[4]
The price per unit of Barracuda is initially reported to be less than $200,000; a tenth of the cost of a Tomahawk missile.[5][6] However, citing the 2025 production agreement on Barracuda-500 between Taiwan's NCSIST and Anduril, it should be somewhere near $216,000.[7] In 2026 the Polish state-owned arms company PGZ has signed an agreement with Anduril Industries for the production of Barracuda-500M missiles in Poland.[8]
Barracuda is said by Anduril to require 50% less time to produce, use 95% fewer tools, and 50% less parts.[9]
Variants
[edit source]All Barracuda variants can withstand up to 5 g-forces and can work autonomously and collaboratively with other Barracuda missiles to act as decoys and conduct strike missions.[10]
Barracuda-100
The Barracuda-100 variant would have a range of 120 nautical miles (222 km) and carry a 35lb (16kg) warhead. It can be launched from ground systems, rapid dragon, or Boeing AH-64 Apache and Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters.[10]
Barracuda-250
The Barracuda-250 would be solely air launched from the internal weapons bay of an F-35, or externally from an F-15E, F-16 or F/A-18 whilst having the same payload as the Barracuda-100 and a range of 200 nautical miles (370 km).[10]
Barracuda-500
The Barracuda-500 would be launched by air from F-15s, F/A-18s, F-16s, F-35s or bombers, would have a payload of 100lb (45kg) and a range of more than 500 nautical miles (926 km).[10] The Barracuda-500 has been designated AGM-189.[11][12]
Operators
[edit source]Future operators
[edit source]
- Republic of China Air Force: Barracuda-500[7]
- Republic of China Army: truck-mounted version of Barracuda-500[7]
- Polish Air Force: Barracuda-500M for use with F-16 and F-35 squadrons.
- United States Army: Containerized version of the Barracuda-500[13]
Potential Operators
[edit source]
References
[edit source]- 1 2 "Anduril". www.anduril.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ↑ Finnerty, Ryan (September 12, 2024). "Anduril unveils low-cost Barracuda cruise missile designed for 'hyper-scale' production". Flight Global. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ↑ Losey, Stephen (September 16, 2024). "Anduril unveils modular, high-production Barracuda cruise missiles". Defense News. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ↑ Tirpak, John (September 12, 2024). "Anduril Unveils New Low-Cost 'Barracuda' Cruise Missiles". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ↑ LaGrone, Sam (June 2, 2021). "Anti-Ship Missiles Top Marines $2.95B Fiscal Year 2022 Wishlist". USNI News. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ↑ Luke Cresante (May 27, 2025). A $150,000 Missile. Lockheed's Response to Anduril. Retrieved July 10, 2025 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 3 Honrada, Gabriel (September 22, 2025). "Barracuda-500: US-Taiwan co-produced missile built to bite China". Asia Times. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ↑ Muczyński, Rafał (July 6, 2026). "Umowa na produkcję w Polsce pocisków manewrujących SL Barracuda-500M podpisana". MILMAG (in Polish). Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Anduril Unveils Barracuda-M Family of Cruise Missiles". www.anduril.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Losey, Stephen (September 16, 2024). "Anduril unveils modular, high-production Barracuda cruise missiles". Defense News. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ↑ https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/leidos-missile-usaf-designation/?cf-view
- ↑ https://militarnyi.com/en/news/eram-missile-receives-official-designation/
- ↑ Radzius, Darius (May 13, 2026). "Pentagon Rushes to Buy 10,000 Missiles as Iran Has Depleted Stockpiles". Military.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- 1 2 "Meet Barracuda Missile: A Cheap High-Tech Alternative To Tomahawk". UNITED24 Media. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
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