Anduril Industries has announced the launch of its innovative Barracuda family of cruise missiles, which offer a 30% cost reduction compared to traditional munitions. This development is a strategic response to the U.S. military’s demand for cost-efficient, large-scale munition solutions. The Barracuda missiles integrate commercial off-the-shelf components, boast a 50% reduction in part count, and halve the manufacturing time of conventional options.
The newly introduced Barracuda line features three models: the Barracuda-100, -250, and -500, each varying payload capacity and range. These missiles are designed with an open-system architecture, facilitating swift software-driven enhancements. Anduril emphasizes the ease of assembly, stating that the production process requires only basic toolsets and non-specialized labor.
Recently disclosed by Anduril, this lineup includes air-breathing, software-defined, autonomous cruise missiles. The Barracuda-500 is tailored for launch from cargo aircraft using the Air Force’s “Rapid Dragon” deployment system. This particular variant is also part of the company’s bid in the Air Force’s Enterprise Test Vehicle program.
In light of concerns voiced by U.S. military leaders about inadequate munitions reserves for prolonged conflicts, especially against major powers like China, Anduril’s Barracuda-500 is poised to bolster U.S. readiness significantly. Further expanding its operational capacity, Anduril is constructing the vast “Arsenal-1” factory to mass-produce thousands of these autonomous systems annually, reflecting a shift towards large-scale, economical production reminiscent of industry leaders such as Tesla and SpaceX.