The Pentagon has signed a framework agreement with Anduril Industries to scale production of the low-cost, surface-launched Barracuda-500M (SLB-500M) cruise missile.
Under the deal, Anduril is expected to deliver at least 3,000 all-up SLB-500M systems to the Army’s Program Acquisition Executive FIRES over three years, with an option for additional systems based on evolving requirements.
The first tranche of cruise missiles is expected in the first half of 2027, with more than 60 launchers also scheduled for delivery that year as part of the Ground-Launched Low-Cost Containerized Munition program.
Barracuda-500M
Anduril designed the Barracuda-M family, of which SLB-500M is a part, to be “ready for hyper-scale production.”
The SLB-500M is built using 70 percent commercial off-the-shelf components, while the remaining 30 percent relies on competing open architecture designs from multiple suppliers to reduce supply chain risks.
It features a simple design that can be assembled in just 30 hours using 10 common hand tools, according to the company.
Built for high-volume and coordinated stand-off and long-range strikes against land and naval targets, the SLB-500M is fitted with a 100-pound (45-kilogram) munition payload and can travel beyond 500 nautical miles (575 miles/926 kilometers).
The cruise missile is fired from a standard 20-foot (6-meter) ISO containerized launcher that can fit up to 16 all-up rounds, although the SLB-500M can also be launched using alternative methods, according to Anduril.
Operators can integrate the missile with Anduril’s Lattice software for autonomous and collaborative operations, or use existing fire control systems for target selection, munition pairing, and launch initiation.
Production Support
In addition to developing easily reproducible cruise missiles, Anduril has been investing in production facilities to meet demand.
This includes more than $40 million invested in a dedicated Southern California production facility, which opened earlier this year to manufacture Barracuda variants for near-term demand.
Barracuda missile production is eventually expected to shift to Anduril’s Arsenal-1 hyper-scale production facility in Columbus, Ohio.
Separately, Anduril and the US government have invested heavily in expanding solid rocket motor production capacity to support the SLB-500M and other weapon systems.
