Air Weapons: Affordable Cruise Missiles

August 14, 2026: The American military is planning to purchase 28,000 less expensive cruise missiles over the next five years. The cost is $450,000 each, about a third of what current cruise missiles cost. Eventually, the cost per missile will fall to half that price. Manufacturers of cheap missiles include Anduril, supplying its Barracuda-500; CoAspire, for its Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile; and Zone 5 Technologies, for its Rusty Dagger. These three firms are competing to drive prices down further. This will increase sales to the military, which is rebuilding its missile arsenal to replace heavy missile use during the Iranian…