U.S. Marine Corps Awards Anduril $23.9 Million Contract for 600+ Bolt-M Strike Systems

WASHINGTON : The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded Anduril Industries a $23.9 million contract to deliver more than 600 Bolt-M loitering munition systems, advancing the next phase of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program and marking a significant step in modernizing infantry-level strike capabilities.

The contract, which runs from February 2026 through April 2027, follows more than a year of intensive testing and evaluation. Under the agreement, Anduril will supply over 600 Bolt-M systems, along with associated ground control units and ancillary equipment. Initial fielding to operational Marine units is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026.

A New Capability for Marine Infantry

The OPF-L program is designed to equip dismounted Marine rifle squads with a man-packable, easy-to-operate precision strike capability capable of engaging targets beyond line of sight. The Bolt-M system, a compact loitering munition, is intended to provide organic firepower at the squad and platoon level, reducing reliance on external assets while increasing battlefield responsiveness.

Marine Corps officials have emphasized that OPF-L is a key component of broader force modernization efforts focused on distributed operations, expeditionary warfare, and the demands of future high-end conflict.

Rigorous Testing and Selection

Anduril’s selection comes after 13 months of rigorous government testing. During this period, the company delivered an initial tranche of more than 250 Bolt-M systems for evaluation. According to program officials, the system was subjected to a wide range of safety, environmental, and performance assessments, including operations across diverse climates and mission profiles.

Across hundreds of flight tests, Bolt-M demonstrated what the Marine Corps described as category-leading range, endurance, and payload capacity. The system was evaluated against multiple target sets, validating its effectiveness as a loitering, precision strike platform suitable for frontline infantry use. Following the successful completion of this phase, the Marine Corps selected Bolt-M for initial operational fielding under OPF-L.

Production at Scale and Speed

In parallel with testing, Anduril has been investing heavily in scaling its manufacturing capacity to meet anticipated demand. The company has refined its Bolt production process across design engineering, supply chain management, quality assurance, manufacturing engineering, and operations. Upgrades to its production facility have increased output to more than 100 complete systems per month.

Anduril has stated that it plans to further scale production across Bolt variants to a sustained rate exceeding 175 systems per month later this year. This expanded capacity is intended not only to support the OPF-L program, but also to meet requirements from other customers.

The company recently demonstrated this production capability by building and delivering more than 300 Bolt systems within five months of contract award, an effort Anduril says validated its approach of rapidly developing, manufacturing, and delivering advanced defense systems at scale.

Fielding and Training Timeline

Under the new contract, Bolt-M systems will begin flowing to Marine units in early 2026, with the first operational units receiving the capability by summer 2026. Marines will train to integrate the system into tactical formations, employing organic loitering munitions for reconnaissance, target identification, and precision strike missions.

Defense analysts note that the fielding of OPF-L reflects a broader trend toward decentralized, precision-guided firepower at the lowest tactical levels. For the Marine Corps, Bolt-M is expected to enhance lethality, flexibility, and survivability for small units operating in contested environments.

Broader Implications

The award underscores growing confidence in non-traditional defense contractors and rapid acquisition models as the Pentagon seeks to adapt to fast-evolving threats. With OPF-L moving into its next phase, the Marine Corps is positioning infantry units to operate with greater autonomy and precision, while Anduril’s success further cements its role as a key supplier in U.S. military modernization.

As deliveries begin in 2026, the Bolt-M system is set to become a cornerstone of the Marine Corps’ vision for lightweight, expeditionary precision fires in the years ahead.