The U.S. Air Force conducted a live-warhead test of a standoff cruise missile known as Extended Range Attack Munition on the Eglin Test and Training Range on Jan. 21, less than 16 months from the program’s initial contract award.
- The test met all primary objectives, including a full warhead detonation, and gathered critical data to mature a new, cost-effective, long-range strike capability, according to base officials.
“Moving from a contract to a live-fire demonstration in under two years proves we can deliver lethal, cost-effective capability at the speed of relevance,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Lyons III, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Weapons. “This is how we rebuild our military — by empowering our teams and industry partners to cut through bureaucracy and deliver the tools our warfighters need to prevail.”
ERAM is an air-launched cruise missile designed to provide affordable mass against high-value fixed targets. The precision-guided weapon offers long-range, standoff capability that military officials say addresses a critical operational need — a strike system that can be manufactured quickly and in large quantities to strengthen U.S. deterrence.
- The test brought together the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Armament Directorate, the 96th Test Wing and industry partners. Engineers and test conductors from Eglin’s Central Control Facility planned the mission and analyzed the resulting data, using the range’s specialized capabilities to execute what officials described as a complex event.
“The future fight demands we create an asymmetric advantage by developing cost-effective, attritable systems like ERAM that give commanders the ability to generate mass,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, 96th Test Wing commander. “The expert teams who executed this complex mission provided the high-fidelity data we need to validate this system, ensuring that when it reaches the warfighter, it is a proven and ready tool for the right target.”
