United to win: US develops low-cost, high-precision aircraft munition with over 400 km range for Ukraine
Photo: Lockheed Martin / Visualization of cheap munitions
The US is developing a low-cost and easy-to-manufacture aircraft weapon explicitly tailored for Ukraine. It boasts high precision and a range of over 400 kilometers. According to the US Air Force, Ukraine may soon be equipped with the advanced ERAM (Extended Range Attack Munition).
The War Zone reports this.
What is the solution?
The ERAM will range up to 250 miles (400 km), potentially allowing the Ukrainian Air Force to engage targets at new distances. In concept, the ammunition should be relatively cheap and easy to manufacture.
According to a request from the Armaments Office of the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), the armament will be key to accelerating Ukraine's ability to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of the military and provide affordable, mass-produced weapons.
According to the request, the Air Force "seeks to fund the initial phase of development of a new aviation munition called ERAM."
How does it work?
AFLCMC's main requirements for new ammunition:
- range – minimum 250 miles (400 km);
- maximum speed — from Mach 0.6;
- navigation system — must work in conditions of GPS signal deterioration;
- accuracy — within 10 meters;
- production rate — 1,000 rounds of ammunition in two years.
It is noted that within two years, the USA plans to produce about a thousand of these missiles.
For reference:
As previously reported by Rubryka, Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden, the presidents of Ukraine and the US, began their meeting in Washington on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
Subsequently, US President Joe Biden announced allocating a new security aid package for Ukraine.
The estimated cost of the aid package is $225 million. This package will provide Ukraine with additional capabilities to meet its needs, including air defense systems and interceptors, ammunition for missile systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons.
