--- title: "US Navy Launches CHAOS Program: Cheap CoAspire and Zone 5 Cruise Missiles to Replace Outdated Anti-Ship Weapons" description: "The US Navy has awarded contracts under the CHAOS program, most likely including CoAspire's RAACM-ER and Zone 5's Rusty Dagger cruise missiles to replace outdated anti-ship weapons." date: 2026-08-23T11:59:14.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-navy-chaos-program-coaspire-zone-5-rusty-dagger tags: [us-navy, chaos-program, coaspire, zone-5, rusty-dagger, raacm, cruise-missile] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # US Navy Launches CHAOS Program: Cheap CoAspire and Zone 5 Cruise Missiles to Replace Outdated Anti-Ship Weapons ![US Navy CHAOS program anti-ship cruise missiles: Zone 5 airframe at a test range and the CoAspire RAACM missile with Divergent branding](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/23/vm-s-chaos-ten-lua-coaspire-zone-5-rusty-dagger/vm-s-chaos-ten-lua-coaspire-zone-5-rusty-dagger-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The US Navy has awarded two contracts under the CHAOS program to develop affordable and scalable weapons. - The project will most likely include CoAspire's RAACM-ER (range over 1,800 km) and Zone 5's AGM-188A Rusty Dagger (about 225 kg, range over 930 km). - A ground launch platform is being developed first (serial production by 2028), followed by adaptation for ships and aircraft. - Rusty Dagger was previously tested by the US Air Force from an F-16 under the ERAM program for Ukraine. The US Navy has awarded two contracts under the CHAOS program, aimed at developing affordable and scalable weapons in a compressed timeframe. According to a DVIDS publication, the key objective of the initiative is to provide the US fleet and its allies with cost-effective precision weapons for striking both land and maritime targets. Current assessments indicate that the project will most likely include CoAspire's RAACM-ER cruise missile and the AGM-188A Rusty Dagger anti-ship system developed by Zone 5 Technologies. ### CHAOS Program: A Bet on Low Cost and Volume The CHAOS philosophy stands in direct contrast to the "expensive but one-off" approach. Instead of small batches of ultra-powerful systems, the emphasis is on the mass production of relatively cheap yet effective munitions that can be deployed in large numbers. This addresses the chronic shortage of anti-ship weapons and gradually phases out outdated models whose high cost and limited range make them vulnerable under modern air-defense conditions. ### Two Missiles, Two Approaches According to published data, CoAspire's RAACM-ER cruise missile has a range of over 1,800 km, placing it in the long-range class for striking distant targets on land and at sea. In contrast, Zone 5's AGM-188A Rusty Dagger is positioned as a light and relatively compact solution: it weighs approximately 225 kg and has an operational range exceeding 930 km. This combination allows the fleet to pair long-range strikes with mass launches of cheaper munitions. ### From Ground Launch to Naval and Aerial A ground launch platform is initially being developed for the system, with serial production expected by 2028. In the future, the launch architecture will be adapted for installation on warships and, if necessary, on aircraft. Integration testing, particularly for the aerial variant, includes a series of tests of the weapon in both mounted and released configurations: verification of compatibility with the carrier aircraft, load correctness, and suitability for each specific fighter type. ### "Rusty Dagger" and the Ukrainian Context The combat and test history of Rusty Dagger deserves separate attention. It is worth recalling that the US Air Force has already tested this affordable cruise missile, developed for Ukraine under the ERAM program, by launching it from an F-16 fighter. Thus, the system now being considered for the fleet has proven experience with an aerial carrier, reducing the risks and timelines for adapting it to naval and air platforms under CHAOS. ### Contradictory Data The degree of confirmation of each missile's participation in the CHAOS program varies. The contract for Zone 5's Rusty Dagger system is documented by public sources (including the specialized outlet Naval News), whereas the inclusion of CoAspire's RAACM-ER in the project is described in some formulations as likely rather than fully confirmed. Moreover, the original materials mention "two contracts," while the publicly verified source directly documents a contract specifically for Zone 5. Until the US Navy issues official clarifications on the scope of both contracts and the exact technical specifications of the RAACM-ER, some of the characteristics should be regarded as preliminary. ## πŸ” Fact-Check Verification - [Thanks to CoAspire and Zone 5 missiles, US Navy ships can deliver powerful strikes.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/tau-chien-hai-quan-my-tan-cong-cuc-manh-nho-ten-lua-coaspire-va-zone-5) - ΠŸΡƒΠ±Π»ΠΈΠΊΠ°Ρ†ΠΈΡ ΠΎΡ‚Ρ€Π°ΠΆΠ°Π΅Ρ‚ ΡΡƒΡ‚ΡŒ ΠΏΡ€ΠΎΠ³Ρ€Π°ΠΌΠΌΡ‹ CHAOS, характСристики RAACM-ER (>1800 ΠΊΠΌ) ΠΈ AGM-188A Rusty Dagger (~225 ΠΊΠ³, >930 ΠΊΠΌ), ΠΏΠ»Π°Π½ Π½Π°Π·Π΅ΠΌΠ½ΠΎΠ³ΠΎ пуска ΠΊ 2028 Π³. ΠΈ испытания Rusty Dagger с F-16 Π² Ρ€Π°ΠΌΠΊΠ°Ρ… ERAM. УчастиС RAACM-ER описано вСроятностно. - [U.S. Navy Awards Contract For Zone 5’s Combat-Proven Rusty Dagger Cruise Missile](https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/08/u-s-navy-awards-contract-for-zone-5s-combat-proven-rusty-dagger-cruise-missile/) - ΠŸΡ€ΠΎΡ„ΠΈΠ»ΡŒΠ½ΠΎΠ΅ ΠΈΠ·Π΄Π°Π½ΠΈΠ΅ фиксируСт Ρ„Π°ΠΊΡ‚ Π·Π°ΠΊΠ»ΡŽΡ‡Π΅Π½ΠΈΡ Π’ΠœΠ‘ БША ΠΊΠΎΠ½Ρ‚Ρ€Π°ΠΊΡ‚Π° Π½Π° комплСкс Rusty Dagger ΠΎΡ‚ Zone 5, Ρ‡Ρ‚ΠΎ ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π°Π΅Ρ‚ ΠΊΠ»ΡŽΡ‡Π΅Π²ΠΎΠΉ тСзис ΠΎ ΠΊΠΎΠ½Ρ‚Ρ€Π°ΠΊΡ‚Π°Ρ… CHAOS ΠΏΠΎ Π΄Π°Π½Π½ΠΎΠΌΡƒ издСлию. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What is the CHAOS program in the US Navy? **A:** CHAOS is a program to develop affordable and scalable weapons in a short timeframe, aimed at providing the fleet and its allies with accessible precision weapons for striking land and maritime targets and replacing outdated anti-ship systems. ### Q: Which missiles are likely to be included in the CHAOS program? **A:** Most likely β€” CoAspire's RAACM-ER cruise missile with a range of over 1,800 km and Zone 5's AGM-188A Rusty Dagger system weighing about 225 kg with a range of over 930 km. ### Q: When is serial production of the launch systems expected? **A:** A ground launch platform is being developed first, with serial production expected by 2028; in the future the system will be adapted for ships and, if necessary, aircraft. ### Q: Has Rusty Dagger had any combat or test experience? **A:** Yes, the US Air Force tested this missile, developed for Ukraine under the ERAM program, by launching it from an F-16 fighter; integration testing includes checks in both mounted and released configurations.