Defense startup says it can fix America’s ammo problem with China

Modular Missile for US Military

Defense tech startup Anduril has unveiled its new Barracuda cruise missile, designed to address concerns over ammunition shortages during near-peer conflicts. The missile boasts modularity, enabling its customization for various missions and facilitating mass production by the US military.

Variant Capabilities

Three variants of the Barracuda have been disclosed: the Barracuda-100, -250, and -500. The Barracuda-100 carries a payload of 35 pounds with a range of 85 nautical miles. The Barracuda-500, on the other hand, carries 100 pounds with a range of 500 nautical miles.

Low-Cost Production

Anduril emphasizes the Barracuda’s simplified manufacturing process, claiming a 50% reduction in production time, 95% fewer tools, and 50% fewer parts. This cost-effective approach allows the military to produce and deploy Barracudas en masse, ensuring ample supply.

Flexibility and Range

Anduril’s chief strategy officer, Chris Brose, highlights the Barracuda’s versatility, stating that it can “range across a series of targets” including ground-based and maritime targets. This flexibility enables the military to adapt the missile to various combat scenarios.

Addressing Ammunition Concerns

The Barracuda’s development comes amid concerns raised by wargames, indicating that the Pentagon may deplete its advanced munitions supply within weeks or even days during a conflict with a peer adversary. Anduril’s animated video advertisement directly addresses this issue, referencing the urgent need for more missiles that are both affordable and scalable in production.

Enterprise Test Vehicle Program

In line with the military’s emphasis on “affordable high-rate production,” the US Air Force selected Anduril as one of four companies for the Enterprise Test Vehicle program. The Barracuda-500 was Anduril’s submission for the program, and all three variants are currently undergoing flight tests.

Hyperscale Production

Anduril’s manufacturing strategy prioritizes large-scale production, known as “hyperscale.” In August, the company raised $1.5 billion to establish a Tesla-style mega factory designed to facilitate rapid expansion of production capabilities.

Efficient Manufacturing

Anduril emphasizes the simplified manufacturing process of the Barracuda, which requires only “10 or less tools” for assembly. This streamlined approach enables rapid production and scalability, ensuring the timely availability of the missiles for military operations.