Barracuda-M
American cruise missile developed by Anduril Industries
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barracuda-M is a medium-range turbojet-powered cruise missile developed by American defence company Anduril Industries.[1] Barracuda-M is the missile variant of the Barracuda AAV loitering munition.[1] Anduril intends to pitch Barracuda to the United States Armed Forces as a low-cost 'hyper-scale production' alternative to comparable systems, such as AGM-158C LRASM.[2]
| Barracuda-M | |
|---|---|
Barracuda-M 500 | |
| Type | Subsonic cruise missile |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2024-present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Anduril Industries |
| Developed from | Barracuda AAV |
| Unit cost | < USD$216,000 |
| Variants | Barracuda-100 Barracuda-250 Barracuda-500 |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | Conventional warhead |
| Warhead weight | up to 100lb |
Operational range | Barracuda-100 – 120 nmi (140 mi; 220 km) Barracuda-250 – 200 nmi (230 mi; 370 km) Barracuda-500 – 500 nmi (580 mi; 930 km) |
| Maximum speed | Subsonic; ~Mach 0.74 about 567.7 mph (493.3 kn; 913.6 km/h) |
Launch platform | AH-64 Apache AH-1Z Viper F-35A/B/C Strategic bombers F-15E/EX F/A-18E/F F-16 Ground-launched Ship-launched Rapid Dragon |
Barracuda-M is designed to be launched from a plethora of systems, including in-service fighter and multirole aircraft; such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, as well as strategic bombers and various helicopters.[3] The missile is also capable of being launched from Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft via the Rapid Dragon missile system.[4]
The price per unit of Barracuda is initially reported to be less than $200,000; a tenth of the cost of a Tomahawk missile.[5][6] However, citing the latest production agreement on Barracuda-500 between Taiwan's NCSIST and Anduril, it should be somewhere near $216,000.[7]
Barracuda is said by Anduril to require 50% less time to produce, use 95% fewer tools, and 50% less parts.[8]
Variants
All Barracuda variants can withstand up to 5 g-forces and can work autonomously and collaboratively with other Barracuda missiles to act as decoys and conduct strike missions.[9]
Barracuda-100
The Barracuda-100 variant would have a range of 120 nautical miles (222 km) and carry a 35lb (16kg) warhead. It can be launched from ground systems, rapid dragon, or Boeing AH-64 Apache and Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters.[9]
Barracuda-250
The Barracuda-250 would be solely air launched from the internal weapons bay of an F-35, or externally from an F-15E, F-16 or F/A-18 whilst having the same payload as the Barracuda-100 and a range of 200 nautical miles (370 km).[9]
Barracuda-500
The Barracuda-500 would be launched by air from F-15s, F/A-18s, F-16s, F-35s or bombers, would have a payload of 100lb (45kg) and a range of more than 500 nautical miles (926 km).[9] The Barracuda-500 has been designated AGM-189.[10][11]
Operators
Future operators
- Republic of China Air Force: Barracuda-500[7]
- Republic of China Army: truck-mounted version of Barracuda-500[7]
