The Anduril Barracuda 500 boasts a range greater than 500 n miles. The munition is a competitor for the USAF/DIU Enterprise Test Vehicle programme. (Anduril)
Anduril has been working on a new line of networked, jet-powered munitions called Barracuda, the company told reporters on 11 September. The missiles have undergone testing and integration with unspecified aircraft, Anduril told reporters, but have not yet found a customer.
Although the company refers to the munitions as autonomous air vehicles, capable of carrying a variety of payloads, they appear mostly intended to perform strike missions.
Three models of the Barracuda have been designed, built, and tested.
The Barracuda 100 is intended to equip ground troops and helicopters. The missile can carry a 35 lb (15.9 kg) payload and reach a speed of up to 500 kt. It has a range of 85 n miles if air-launched and 60 n miles if ground-launched.
The Barracuda 250 is sized to fit inside the weapons bays of stealth aircraft, but can also be carried externally by tactical fighters and launched from ground or sea platforms. Like the Barracuda 100, the 250 has a 35 lb payload and up to 500 kt speed but boasts a range greater than 200 n miles if air-launched or 150 n miles if sea-launched.
The Barracuda 500 is the largest of the family and can be launched from tactical fighters or palletised for deployment from a C-130 or C-17. It has a range greater than 500 n miles and a payload capacity of more than 100 lb (45.4 kg).
Anduril intends for Barracuda to cost 30% less than comparable systems, said Diem Salmon, the company's vice-president for air dominance and strike, at the munitions' unveiling.
Cost curve
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