The Pentagon has signed a framework agreement with Anduril Industries to accelerate production of the low-cost, surface-launched Barracuda-500M cruise missile.
Under the arrangement, Anduril will supply at least 3,000 fully assembled SLB-500M missile systems to the Army’s Program Executive Office FIRES over a three-year period, with provisions for additional orders depending on future operational requirements.
The first batch of missiles is expected to be delivered during the first half of 2027. More than 60 launchers are also scheduled for delivery that year under the Ground-Launched Low-Cost Containerized Munition initiative.
Anduril developed the Barracuda-M family, including the SLB-500M, with a focus on large-scale, rapid manufacturing. Approximately 70 percent of the missile’s components are commercial off-the-shelf parts, while the remaining systems use open-architecture designs sourced from multiple suppliers to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities.
According to the company, the missile’s simplified architecture allows assembly within roughly 30 hours using only 10 standard hand tools. Designed for coordinated stand-off and long-range strike missions against land and maritime targets, the SLB-500M carries a 100-pound payload and has a range exceeding 500 nautical miles.
The missile is launched from a standard 20-foot ISO containerized launcher capable of carrying up to 16 ready-to-fire rounds, although alternative launch methods are also supported. Operators can integrate the missile with Anduril’s Lattice autonomous software suite or connect it to existing fire-control systems for targeting, munition management, and launch operations.
To support anticipated demand, Anduril has continued investing heavily in manufacturing infrastructure. The company recently committed more than $40 million to a dedicated production facility in Southern California focused on Barracuda missile variants. Future production is expected to transition to Anduril’s Arsenal-1 hyperscale manufacturing complex in Columbus, Ohio.
Separately, Anduril and the US government are also expanding solid rocket motor production capacity to sustain output for the SLB-500M and other advanced weapon systems.
