The US Air Force has designated Leidos’ Small Cruise Missile (SCM) as the “AGM-190A,” formally recognizing the system as an operational stand-off strike capability.
AGM-190A, also known as “Black Arrow,” is a 200-pound (91-kilogram) projectile designed to deliver cost-effective, long-range precision effects.
The company said that the missile features modular hardware and open-system software, allowing operators to adapt the weapon quickly to changing operational needs.
It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney TJ150-7 turbojet engine for a speed of Mach 0.8 (613 miles/988 kilometers per hour) and a service ceiling of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters).
In an earlier statement, Leidos noted that the AGM-190A’s development is supported by the corporation’s expertise in building small glide munitions, including the GBU-69, as well as modern manufacturing processes such as 3D-printing and artificial intelligence-driven optimization.
The milestone follows the weapon’s test from a C-130 aircraft, where the missile achieved a stand-off range of over 400 nautical miles (460 miles/741 kilometers).
“This capability will provide warfighters with the operational flexibility they need for today’s missions, and help them counter emerging threats in the future,” said Cindy Gruensfelder, president of defense sector at Leidos.
“The Air Force’s designation of the AGM-190A underscores its confidence in Leidos as a provider of proven, affordable stand-off strike solutions.”
