--- title: "US Seeks Contractors to Produce Over a Thousand ERAM Cruise Missiles for Ukraine" description: "The US Air Force is seeking contractors to produce over 1,000 ERAM cruise missiles for Ukraine. The missiles are required to cover over 460 km and hit targets under electronic warfare conditions." date: 2026-11-03T22:20:35.820Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-eram-contract-ukraine tags: [eram, ukraine, usa, cruise-missiles, defense] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # US Seeks Contractors to Produce Over a Thousand ERAM Cruise Missiles for Ukraine ![Ukrainian soldiers prepare a missile for installation on a launcher under camouflage netting](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/03/ssha-zakaz-eram-ukraina/ssha-zakaz-eram-ukraina-1.webp) ## Key Points - The US Air Force is seeking contractors to produce over 1,000 ERAM cruise missiles for Ukraine for delivery within 15 months. - The 500-pound class missile must fly over 460 km, not exceed 0.6 Mach, and hit targets with 10m accuracy during GPS jamming. - First missiles are due no later than three months after contract signing; bids are due by November 19. - In August 2025, the sale of 3,350 ERAM missiles to Ukraine for $825 million was announced for use with F-16s. - The US intends to ask NATO for co-financing of purchases due to a $2 billion budget shortfall. The US Air Force has announced a search for contractors to produce a new batch of ERAM (Extended Range Attack Munition) cruise missiles intended for transfer to Ukraine. According to the published request to manufacturers, the order involves over a thousand missiles that must be delivered within 15 months of contract award. Candidate companies must submit their proposals by November 19, and the first units must be delivered no later than three months after signing the agreement. The request sets strict technical parameters designed for mass production and deployment in contested environments. ### What is ERAM and Why is it Needed ERAM is a small air-launched cruise missile described by the US Air Force as an affordable weapon for precision strikes against important stationary targets from a safe distance. The key idea of the concept is the combination of a relatively low unit cost with the capability for mass production, allowing for precision strikes without critical loss of expensive systems. The missile can be launched, in particular, from F-16 fighters, which expands the range of platforms and makes the system flexible for tactical use. ### Technical Requirements for the Missile In the request, the Air Force outlined specific characteristics: the missile must belong to the 500-pound class (approximately 227 kg) and be capable of covering a distance of more than 250 nautical miles, i.e., over 460 km. Flight speed should not exceed 0.6 Mach. Strike accuracy is a critical parameter: deviation from the target should not exceed 10 meters even if the enemy is jamming GPS signals. In addition to high-explosive fragmentation effects, ERAM must be capable of partially penetrating defensive structures upon impact, which increases effectiveness against hardened targets. ### Contract Timeline and Volume The volume of the current procurement is more than 1,000 missiles, and the entire batch must be delivered within 15 months. Requirements for delivery speed are strict: the first missiles must be received no later than three months after contract signing. Such a schedule indicates an intent to rapidly scale up production volumes and ensure a steady stream of supplies, rather than a one-time shipment. ### Context: From Sale to Use The current request fits into a broader dynamic of supplies. In August 2025, the Trump administration announced the sale of 3,350 ERAM missiles to Ukraine for $825 million. According to CNN, the missiles approved by the State Department for Kyiv could have begun arriving as early as the end of 2025. In June 2026, Ukrainian media speculated that Ukraine used the AGM-188A Rusty Dagger—a version of the ERAM family—to strike the Voronezh Semiconductor Plant, which reportedly produces components for Russian missiles. ### Funding and the Role of Allies In parallel with the search for ERAM contractors, Washington is addressing the issue of funding for other aid packages. According to Bloomberg, the US intends to ask NATO allies to provide additional funding for weapon purchases for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as there is a shortage of about $2 billion for agreed packages. A corresponding request could be sent as early as November. Thus, the ERAM program is becoming part of a broader financial and logistical support scheme in which cost-sharing between Washington and its partners plays a key role. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [США заказывают для Украины более тысячи новых крылатых ракет ERAM, - СМИ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-zamovlyayut-ukrayini-ponad-tisyachu-1793744000.html) - The source contains all key facts: RFP parameters (500lb class, >460km, 0.6 Mach, 10m accuracy, >1000 missiles, 15 months, Nov 19 deadline), the Aug 2025 sale of 3,350 missiles for $825m, speculation on the June 2026 strike on the Voronezh plant, and Bloomberg data on a ~$2bn shortfall. Single source, some facts (Rusty Dagger use) are speculative. ## FAQ ### What is ERAM? ERAM (Extended Range Attack Munition) is a small air-launched cruise missile of the 500-pound class (approx. 227 kg), designed for mass production and high-precision strikes on stationary targets from a safe distance. ### What are the main requirements for the missile in this request? The missile must cover over 460 km, fly at speeds no higher than 0.6 Mach, and hit targets with a deviation of no more than 10 meters, even during GPS jamming. Besides blast-fragmentation effects, it must be able to partially penetrate protective structures. ### What is the delivery timeline? The first missiles must be received no later than three months after contract signing, with the full batch of over 1,000 missiles delivered within 15 months. Proposals are accepted until November 19. ### How many ERAM missiles were previously announced for sale to Ukraine? In August 2025, the Trump administration announced the sale of 3,350 ERAM missiles to Ukraine for $825 million; these can be launched from F-16 fighters.