Textron Systems has signed a prototype agreement to supply its Damocles loitering munition for the US Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program.
As part of the deal, the company will deliver a Damocles unit and conduct demonstrations for Army assessment.
Designed with vertical take-off and landing capability, the system integrates Textron’s GEN2 Explosively Formed Penetrator and top-attack functionality without requiring separate launch or recovery equipment.
Built around a modular open systems architecture, Damocles enables rapid payload swaps to support multiple mission sets, including electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), broadening its role beyond pure strike operations.
The platform also incorporates safeguards aimed at minimizing the risk of unexploded ordnance on the battlefield.
Textron introduced the Damocles loitering and launched-effect concepts in 2025, highlighting precision autonomy and modular adaptability for operations in contested and GPS-denied environments.
US Loitering Munition Developments
The Army’s evaluation of Damocles aligns with broader US investment in loitering and autonomous strike systems.
In 2023, AeroVironment sustained production and deployment of its Switchblade loitering munitions, widely fielded by US Army and Marine Corps units for short-range precision engagements. Variants such as the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 enhanced operational flexibility with longer endurance and larger warheads.
In 2024, Shield AI progressed development of its Valkyrie autonomous loitering munition family through key testing phases and government evaluations. Designed for collaborative operations, Valkyrie incorporates AI-driven mission planning and autonomous target recognition, with continued advancements reported through early 2025.
