Ares Industries Successfully Flight-Tests 10x Smaller, CheaperCruise Missile for the US Military
Ares Industries, a promising American defense startup, has made headlines with the successful flight-test of its innovative anti-ship cruise missile. The company, which was only established 11 weeks ago, has developed a weapon that could reshape the landscape of modern naval warfare. The missile, designed to be 10 times smaller and cheaper than current systems, is part of a bold effort to address the US military's growing need for cost-effective munitions.
The current stockpile of US anti-ship cruise missiles, such as the widely used Harpoon, typically weighs around 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms) and comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $3 million. These large missiles were originally developed to take down heavily armored warships like destroyers. However, in today’s changing combat environment, where smaller frigates and unmanned surface vessels are increasingly part of naval fleets, spending millions on each missile strike is no longer sustainable. Ares Industries aims to offer a more pragmatic solution.
The new missile weighs just 300 pounds (136 kilograms) and costs around $300,000, offering a far more economical option. Despite its reduced size, the missile retains the ability to engage targets over long distances, making it versatile for a variety of mission profiles. Whether launched from land or sea, the weapon is compatible with existing military launch platforms, which means it can be easily integrated into the US Navy’s and allied forces’ arsenals.
Y Combinator, a major investor in Ares Industries, has lauded the project as a much-needed departure from the traditional defense manufacturing model. According to Y Combinator Management, the high cost of current missile systems has left the US military in a difficult position. With global demand for advanced weaponry on the rise, major defense contractors have expanded operations, driving up production costs. As a result, the US armed forces are increasingly forced to choose between quality and quantity when it comes to munitions procurement.
Jared Friedman, founder of Ares Industries, has been vocal about the strategic thinking behind the new missile. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Friedman highlighted that conventional anti-ship missiles are oversized and overkill for modern naval threats like small frigates and unmanned drone ships. “It makes no sense to take out a $200K drone ship with a $3M missile,” Friedman emphasized, underlining the need for a smaller, more affordable option.
While the initial focus is on ground and ship-launched versions, Ares Industries is already exploring the possibility of developing an air-launched variant. This would likely feature extended ranges and customizable payloads, broadening the missile’s utility across different branches of the armed forces. If all goes according to plan, the first deliveries of this advanced missile are expected by mid-2025, providing the US military with a new tool for maintaining maritime superiority.
Ares Industries’ new cruise missile is not just a technological innovation—it’s a strategic shift that could redefine how military planners think about cost-effective warfare in an increasingly complex global environment. By offering a missile that is both affordable and capable, Ares Industries might be setting a new standard for the future of defense systems.
