The key facts
- The US Air Force is seeking an ERAM missile manufacturer: range over 463 km, weight about 227 kg, deviation from target no more than 10 m under GPS jamming
- Responses from companies are accepted until November 19; the first missiles from a batch of over 1,000 units — no later than three months after the contract
- The request does not mean a contract has been awarded; the timeline for actual deliveries to Ukraine is unknown
Request for production capabilities
The US Air Force is looking for companies capable of establishing mass production of ERAM cruise missiles intended for Ukraine. As Defense News reports, the American military department has sent defense companies a request for information on production capabilities — potential contractors must submit responses by November 19.
Missile requirements
According to US Air Force requirements, the missile must weigh about 227 kilograms, have a flight range exceeding 463 kilometers, and a speed above Mach 0.6. Deviation from the target must not exceed ten meters even under GPS jamming conditions. The ERAM is intended for high-precision strikes on important stationary targets: the warhead must provide blast and fragmentation effects, as well as limited penetration capability.
Production timelines and program status
The Pentagon pays particular attention to production rates: the first missiles from a batch of more than a thousand units must be delivered no later than three months after the contract is signed, with deliveries expected to be fully completed within 15 months. ERAM development began in 2024, and in January 2026 the American military conducted a test of the missile with a warhead at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. However, the request itself does not yet mean a contract has been awarded, and the timeline for actual deliveries to Ukraine remains unknown.
Context of supplies
Earlier, Life.ru reportedthat the US continues to supply weapons to Ukraine at the expense of European allies: according to President Donald Trump, Washington no longer transfers weapons to Kyiv free of charge — European countries pay their full cost, which allows the US to receive money for the military equipment and ammunition it supplies. The search for an ERAM manufacturer fits into this scheme, although the publication does not report any funding being allocated for the new missile.
