CoAspire, an American defense firm, has successfully test-launched its innovative 3D-printed Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) from a fighter jet, marking a significant milestone in missile technology. The RAACM matches the physical dimensions of existing 500-pound (227-kilogram) class munitions, such as the MK-82 general-purpose bomb and the GBU-38 guided bomb, demonstrating its adaptability to various aircraft.
The company emphasized the missile’s design to allow compatibility with any aircraft equipped to carry the GBU-38. Images provided by CoAspire illustrate the missile’s integration with several aircraft platforms, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II.
CoAspire has stated that one of the key objectives behind the development of the RAACM is to disrupt the existing cruise missile market by offering an affordable yet capable alternative to other air-launched cruise missiles. By leveraging additive manufacturing, the RAACM benefits from a streamlined assembly process that eliminates the need for extensive tooling, ultimately reducing both labor and production costs.
The missile features a winged airframe, turbojet engine, warhead, and advanced guidance systems for precise targeting. Its design allows for easy payload swaps and upgrades, enhancing its overall performance, survivability, and adaptability for various missions. Furthermore, the RAACM’s modular and scalable architecture suggests potential for future developments, including larger variants that could be launched from air, land, or sea platforms, with an operational range exceeding several hundred miles (over 300 kilometers).
CoAspire sources its components through a network of subcontractors located in 26 US states and two European countries, ensuring a diverse supply chain for its manufacturing needs. The program has received significant financial backing, with the US government allocating $6 million to the RAACM initiative in the current year’s defense budget. This funding marks the second consecutive year that the missile project has benefited from backing through the annual defense bill, underlining its importance in advancing U.S. military capabilities.
