The United States is developing an inexpensive and easy-to-manufacture high-precision aircraft munition with a range of more than 400 kilometers specifically for Ukraine. This information was revealed through a request from the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Weapons Directorate. The Air Force aims to fund the initial phase of development of a new aviation munition called ERAM, which will enhance Ukraine’s capabilities and be suitable for mass production. The accuracy of the munition will have a circular error probable of up to 10 meters, with emphasis on the ability to operate in the face of countermeasures. ERAM is also required to have the ability to rapidly scale up production, with more than 1,000 munitions per year 24 months after the contract is signed.

The U.S. Air Force Weapons Directorate has requested proposals from companies, some of which already have ready-made proposals or prototypes and developments. Boeing’s PJDAM munition, Raytheon’s JSOW-ER project, and Northrop Grumman’s Gray Wolf are potential alternatives that meet the ERAM requirements. The ERAM project has been in development since January of this year, when the US Air Force released requirements for a new precision-guided munition. These requirements included a subsonic speed of 200 m/s and a range of at least 250 nautical miles (463 km), with a warhead weighing approximately 500 pounds (250 kg) and a fuze with multiple operational modes.

ملخص الأخبار

• The ERAM project aims to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities and enable mass production of the munition.
• The precision-guided munition should have a warhead with proper penetrating and fragmentation effect.
• The navigation system of ERAM should be able to operate in the face of countermeasures.
• Companies like Boeing, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman have proposals meeting the ERAM requirements.