The U.S. is developing a new secret long-range missile, ERAM, for Ukraine, according to Defense Express.

The United States is advancing the development of an advanced missile-bomb system under the Extended Range Air-launched Munition (ERAM) program, aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.

According to Defense Express, this initiative has recently garnered attention due to its potential integration with cutting-edge guidance technologies, particularly the Quicksink system, which can deliver precise strikes on maritime targets.

A recent report from the U.S. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center's Armaments Directorate highlighted progress in the ERAM program, as reported by The War Zone.

The ERAM program, first introduced in July 2024, represents significant investments in modernizing air-launched munitions. While the project itself began in January 2023, its specifics remain largely classified.

However, some key parameters have been disclosed, including a missile range of 463 km and plans to produce 1,000 units by 2026.

The program is a collaborative effort not only between the United States but also involving Ukraine, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Its goal is to create an exceptionally versatile weapon system capable of functioning effectively even in complex electronic warfare conditions.

Emphasis has been placed on selecting a guidance system for the munitions that will remain operational without GPS, which is critically important in modern combat environments, as noted by War Zone.

In this context, the idea of potentially integrating the Quicksink guidance head into ERAM has emerged, and the U.S. Air Force has already requested a preliminary production schedule and pricing for the first ten prototypes of such a guidance system that could be integrated into the advanced missile-bomb.

As further clarified by War Zone, the unique feature of Quicksink is that it integrates both radar and infrared guidance heads. Quicksink has already undergone testing for integration with the GBU-31/B JDAM, and to summarize the results of these tests: at the final flight stage, during the direct approach to the target, the guided bomb proved to be invulnerable to enemy electronic warfare measures.

The capabilities of Quicksink extend to maritime operations. It can identify, classify, and target ships with high precision, aiming below the waterline to maximize damage. This feature was confirmed during recent tests, where it demonstrated the ability to navigate and strike targets even in complex operational scenarios.

Key specifications and production goals

The ERAM missile is designed as a subsonic air-launched weapon with a payload of approximately 250 kg. Its warhead is expected to provide both penetrating and fragmentation effects, supported by a multi-mode fuse to optimize detonation.

Priority is given to scalable production, with the goal of achieving full operational capability by 2026. The Pentagon has employed the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) mechanism to optimize funding and expedite development timelines.

If successful, the integration of Quicksink into the ERAM system could expand its operational range, enabling Ukraine to effectively counter maritime threats. This development also signals a shift towards creating high-precision and cost-effective weaponry, with the expected unit cost of Quicksink decreasing from $200,000 to $50,000 per unit as production scales up.

Background. It is worth noting that recently, Syrsky reported that Ukraine is developing its own air defense system to combat the Russian "Oreshnik."