The US Navy has made a significant move in enhancing its offensive capabilities by selecting CoAspire, based in Virginia, to develop a cost-effective, ground-launched cruise missile designed specifically for its allies and coalition partners. This advanced missile system is intended to strike both land targets and moving maritime assets.
The missile, known as the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile-Extended Range (RAACM-ER), integrates a booster with a launcher system, transforming it into a versatile surface-launched weapon. The project is backed by a substantial $70-million Prototype Other Transaction Agreement that is part of the Coalition Heterogeneous Affordable Offensive Strike program, aimed at supporting Foreign Military Sales customers.
Doug Denneny, the CEO and founder of CoAspire, emphasized the missile’s impressive capabilities, stating that the RAACM-ER can be fired from a range of platforms, including aircraft, land installations, and submarines, with an estimated range of about 900 kilometers (approximately 559 miles). This versatility is further enhanced by its combination of GPS-assisted navigation and a long-wave infrared seeker, allowing it to effectively engage both stationary and moving targets. The design’s passive seeker technology renders it resistant to radiofrequency jamming and decoys, as it does not emit any signals that could compromise its terminal approach.
Denneny expressed excitement over the partnership with the US Navy, highlighting the urgent need for a mid-range maritime strike weapon. He praised the collaboration with 56 first-tier suppliers from across nearly all states, stating that they are eager to contribute to the success of the PMX-201 program, which is managed by NAVAIR, along with supporting coalition efforts.
The RAACM is notable for its use of additive manufacturing, which optimizes its payload capacity and negates the necessity for traditional tooling. This innovation significantly decreases labor requirements while facilitating rapid design alterations. Consequently, the timeline for developing new missile variants could be compressed from years to mere months.
This selection by the Navy builds on the precedent of the RAACM’s previous endorsement for the US Air Force’s Family of Affordable Mass Missiles program, which focuses on swiftly deploying low-cost, long-range cruise missiles on a large scale. The RAACM has already shown its potential through successful test launches from aircraft. Sharing similar dimensions with the 500-pound (227-kilogram) Mk 82 general-purpose bomb and GBU-38 guided bomb enables seamless compatibility with any aircraft capable of carrying the GBU-38.
Imagery provided by CoAspire illustrates the missile’s integration with various platforms, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II. Additionally, the ground-launched version of the missile is expected to be comparable to the GHOST variant of the RAACM-ER being proposed for the Pentagon’s Low-Cost Containerized Munition program.
