WASHINGTON, — The U.S. Air Force is seeking defence contractors to mass-produce its Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) cruise missiles and a new unpowered variant, ERAM Glide, primarily for Ukraine.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Armament Directorate issued two Requests for Information (RFIs) through SAM.gov on November 2-3. It wants manufacturers capable of producing more than 1,000 ERAM missiles, with initial deliveries starting within three months of a contract award and full production completed within 15 months. Responses for the powered missile are due November 19.
ERAM Cruise Missile Specifications
The powered ERAM is a 500-pound (227 kg) air-launched cruise missile designed to strike high-value fixed targets from a distance. Its requirements include:
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Range: More than 250 nautical miles (463 km).
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Speed: Above Mach 0.6.
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Accuracy: Within 10 metres, including under GPS jamming.
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Warhead: Blast, fragmentation and limited penetration effects.
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Fuzes: Variable fuze options.
ERAM Glide Specifications
The second RFI covers ERAM Glide, an unpowered 500-pound-class air-launched weapon carrying a 105-pound (48 kg) explosive warhead.
It must deliver blast, fragmentation and limited penetration effects. Its lift-to-drag ratio must reach at least 10:1, with more than 15:1 preferred. The weapon must also maintain accuracy within 10 metres under normal and high-electromagnetic-interference conditions.
Its navigation system is expected to use M-Code GPS and a Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA). The Air Force wants the selected technology to reach Technology Readiness Level 7 within 14 months of a potential contract award. Responses are due December 2.
Development and Ukraine Procurement
The ERAM programme began in 2024, when the Air Force invited companies to propose affordable, long-range weapons. Prototype development contracts later went to Zone 5 Technologies and CoAspire. Their designs include Zone 5's Rusty Dagger and CoAspire's Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM).
An ERAM design underwent a live-warhead test at Eglin Air Force Base in January 2026.
In August 2025, the U.S. approved a possible $825 million Foreign Military Sale covering up to 3,350 ERAM missiles and related equipment for Ukraine. Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have contributed funding.
Ukrainian media reported possible combat use of the Rusty Dagger against a semiconductor plant in Russia's Voronezh region in June 2026, although official confirmation remains limited.
The latest requests aim to expand manufacturing capacity and provide Ukraine with affordable standoff weapons. The missiles may also support future U.S. and NATO inventories. However, no new production contracts have been announced. The Air Force will use industry responses to identify manufacturers and prepare possible procurement agreements.
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