The ERAM missile: rapid launch, long range, GPS/INS guidance, and allied funding. How the US is preparing a new weapon for Ukraine.
The Extended-Range Attack Munition (ERAM) marks a rapid evolution in the supply of precision weapons to Ukraine. Designed as a long-range air-launched cruise missile, the ERAM program responds to an urgent need to strike targets beyond enemy defenses. In less than 14 months after the publication of the call for tenders in August 2024, the United States awarded contracts, developed prototypes, and scheduled the first deliveries. The missile is intended to be carried on aircraft such as the Ukrainian F-16 and MiG-29. The agreement approved at the end of August 2025 includes authorization to sell 3,350 ERAMs accompanied by anti-spoofing GPS/INS guidance modules, at an estimated cost of $825 million.
The context of accelerated development
The launch of the ERAM program is a response to an immediate operational need. The Pentagon has adopted an accelerated procedure for development, production, and delivery. The call for tenders was published in August 2024, and missile prototypes appeared in October 2024. Two non-traditional defense companies, CoAspire and Zone 5 Technologies, won the contracts to develop competing versions. The initial funding allocated is $225 million, which is quite modest for a missile of this type. The pace is unusually fast compared to the usual standards for cruise weapons. This administrative innovation also translates into the use of a light test bed (Douglas A-4 aircraft) and a Ukrainian MiG for the test phase. This rapid prototyping strategy aims to reduce the time between design, testing, and deployment on the front lines.
Expected technical characteristics of the ERAM missile
The Extended-Range Attack Munition missile is an air-launched standoff cruise missile. Its range is estimated at “several hundred miles” (several hundred miles is equivalent to a few hundred kilometers, typically between 500 and 800 km according to announcements), although the exact figures have not been publicly confirmed. The missile is designed to be compatible with modern Western and Ukrainian fighter aircraft, including the F-16 and modified MiG-29. It can be mounted on external pylons or in existing standard bomb racks, using BD-type racks (bomb rack unit). Guidance combines an onboard GPS/INS system with SAASM or M-code anti-spoofing modules. The ERAM also includes defenses against electronic jamming. It is designed to be produced in large quantities at low unit cost, with a modular structure that facilitates testing, assembly, and integration on different air platforms.
The package and terms of sale to Ukraine
At the end of August 2025, the US State Department approved the potential sale of 3,350 ERAM missiles to Ukraine, accompanied by 3,350 GPS/INS modules with anti-spoofing capabilities. The estimated value of this contract is approximately $825 million. This funding is partly provided by European countries (Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway) as part of a collective package. The contract also provides for the supply of parts, guidance modules, and technical support. The first production batch will be limited, but initial deliveries are expected as early as October 2025. This volume would significantly increase Ukraine’s ability to conduct precision strikes beyond the front line, without relying exclusively on existing missiles or heavy bombers.
Strategic implications for the conflict
The introduction of ERAM could alter the balance of power on the ground between Ukraine and Russia. First, the ability to strike command targets, logistics centers, and critical infrastructure deep inside enemy territory from aircraft flying beyond the range of frontal missile defenses improves Ukraine’s deterrence. Second, it forces Russia to strengthen its rear air defenses, diverting resources from the front. Third, for Ukraine, it diversifies the range of weapons available: in addition to drones, surface-to-surface missiles, and rockets, ERAM provides a safer standoff capability. Finally, the United States is demonstrating its ability to innovate rapidly and adapt to modern warfare, which could inspire other similar programs.
Technical limitations and challenges to overcome
Although ERAM has its advantages, there are significant challenges. GPS/INS guidance is vulnerable to jamming, even with anti-spoofing modules incorporated. Russian electronic warfare capabilities remain high, which could reduce accuracy or make the missiles less reliable. The exact unit cost has not been disclosed; producing large quantities while maintaining quality, durability, and maintenance logistics will be difficult. Integration on Ukrainian platforms requires training and aircraft adaptations (interfaces, racks, certification). Furthermore, the use of these missiles from Ukraine against targets on Russian territory could be politicized, with restrictions imposed by Washington or allies on their use in order to avoid escalation. Finally, the production rate, although planned to be high, depends on the supply chain, critical components, and the industrial resources mobilized.
Comparison with existing missiles and role in relation to JASSM and ATACMS
The ERAM is positioned between heavy missiles such as the JASSM-ER and tactical missiles such as ATACMS. It offers a reduced range compared to some ATACMS, but with greater flexibility, lower cost, and better compatibility with Ukrainian tactical aircraft. The JASSM-ER takes longer to produce, is more expensive, and often requires specialized or heavy aircraft. ATACMS, especially the long-range versions, are limited in number. ERAM could fill a gap: striking deep targets without mobilizing the resources of a strategic bomber or compromising tactical aircraft. In this respect, it strengthens Ukraine’s offensive capability to strike deep in a repeated, modulated, and more sustainable manner.
The consequences for Western military doctrines and capabilities
The success of ERAM could prompt allied forces to rethink certain weapons programs. First, it encourages modular approaches, rapid prototyping, and cost control. Second, it reinforces the importance of air standoff over frontal strikes or heavy bombing. Third, it reinforces the role of tactical aviation in strategic operations. Finally, it may encourage other countries to fund or co-fund similar capabilities to share costs and accelerate production. For the United States, it is also a demonstration of credibility: rapid response capability, support for allies, and innovation in precision weapons.
Points to watch
- Actual performance in Russian electronic warfare conditions (GPS guidance, jamming resistance).
- Production rate: if the first batch is small, meeting deadlines will be challenging.
- Political and strategic uses: order of use, authorization of strikes, risks of Russian escalation.
- Ukrainian operational logistics: integration on MiG-29 and F-16 aircraft, crew training.
- Unit cost compared to JASSM or Atacms to assess long-term efficiency.
As these developments unfold, the ERAM appears not only as a strategic innovation for Ukraine but also as an operational prototype for the future of precision weapons. Its immediate effect will be seen on the battlefield, but its influence could extend well beyond the end of the conflict, redefining the way nations think about long-range cruise missiles.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.