Pentagon calls for cheaper long-range strike weapons, with testing in just 3 months

Key Points:

• The Pentagon is urgently developing the Ground-Based Affordable Mass (GBAM) weapon, a cheap, long-range, autonomously guided munition costing under $250,000 each, to supplement costly missiles like the Tomahawk amid supply shortages highlighted by the Iran war.
• The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) launched the GBAM Challenge, inviting companies to submit proposals by August 5, with winners advancing to a November flight demonstration and potential funding up to $5 million for operational test quantities.
• GBAM weapons must be ground-launched with a minimum range of 600 nautical miles, payload of at least 35 pounds, autonomous targeting and guidance capable of operating in GPS-denied environments, and avoid reliance on proprietary launch systems.
• The Pentagon aims to demonstrate mature GBAM systems within 60-90 days and scale production within 12-18 months, with a goal of producing over 100 units monthly at a flyaway cost below $250,000 to maintain operational tempo during prolonged conflicts.
• Alongside GBAM, the U.S. military is pursuing other affordable strike weapon programs, including the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM-BAR) for cruise missile deployment from cargo planes, and the Low-Cost Containerized Missiles hypersonic program.