Leidos’ ‘Black Arrow’ Small Cruise Missile Ready for Flight Tests

Published on: October 10, 2024 at 3:42 PM
A ‘Black Arrow’ small cruise missile is released from the AC-130J’s ramp. (Image credit: Leidos)

Leidos is readying for a new test campaign which will evaluate its ‘Black Arrow’ small cruise missile during guided test flights from the back of an AC-130J gunship.

Defense contractor Leidos has announced that its small cruise missile (SCM), nicknamed “Black Arrow,” is ready for guided flight tests. The company successfully conducted captive carry and store separation tests from the back of an Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft in December 2023, paving the way for guided flight tests in the fall of 2024.

Leidos is strategically positioning its “Black Arrow” for broader adoption, capitalizing on the growing demand for affordable and adaptable stand-off strike capabilities. This development comes amid a broader push within the U.S. military to diversify its arsenal with more cost-effective and scalable munitions, exemplified by initiatives like the Air Force’s Enterprise Test Vehicles (ETV) program.

The “Black Arrow” missile was developed as part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) signed in 2022 between Leidos, U.S. Special Operations Command PEO-Fixed Wing, and AFSOC, although the company started the work internally in 2021. The SCM has been designed as a low-cost, service-common, mission-adaptable “delivery platform,” with the aim of facilitating future spiral upgrades for both kinetic and non-kinetic missions. The missile’s modular architecture allows it to be adapted for both kinetic and non-kinetic applications, highlighting its versatility in modern military operations.

The upcoming guided flight tests, scheduled for fall 2024, will represent a significant milestone in the development of “Black Arrow.” These tests will evaluate the missile’s flight capabilities, guidance and navigation systems, and overall performance. The success of these tests will pave the way for the production and deployment of “Black Arrow” as a valuable asset for the US military.

The first AC-130J arrived at Kirtland AFB for the new initial qualification training program. (Image credit: 58th SOW FB page)

Leveraging Experience, Aiming for Versatility

Leidos drew upon its extensive experience in rapidly fielding the GBU-69 Small Glide Munition (SGM) and demonstrating the DARPA X-61 Gremlins program for the development of the “Black Arrow.” The latter program involved launching an air vehicle from a C-130 and recovering it mid-air, demonstrating innovative capabilities that have been incorporated into the missile’s design.

“Our experience in rapidly fielding the GBU-69 Small Glide Munition (SGM) and demonstrating the DARPA X-61 Gremlins, as well as our focus on agility and innovation, have led to achieving important milestones with our small cruise missile offering,” said Mark Miller, Leidos’ senior vice president for missile and aviation solutions, expressing confidence in the missile’s capabilities. “We have navigated hurdles and made significant investments to integrate on — and test off — the AC-130J, preparing us to proceed with further activities once the CRADA is complete.”

Store separation tests, conducted from an AC-130J in 2023, successfully verified digital twin predictions of safe separation, benign store dynamics, and trajectory characteristics. Additionally, further captive flight testing demonstrated integration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Battle Management System (BMS), operational flight software function, navigation performance, and flight safety system functionality. These thorough tests verified the “Black Arrow” missile’s safety and performance.

The company emphasizes the “Black Arrow’s” modular design, a feature that underpins its adaptability to various mission requirements, including both kinetic and non-kinetic applications, and platforms. While the initial flight tests will be conducted from an AC-130J, Leidos envisions the SCM as a service-common weapon system capable of being launched from a ramp, a pallet, or through conventional means. This versatility significantly expands the “Black Arrow’s” potential user base, making it an attractive option for multiple branches of the U.S. military seeking affordable and flexible strike capabilities.

Miller, in his press statement, emphasized Leidos’ commitment to fostering innovation by collaborating with various stakeholders in the industry. “We believe that recognizing that subsystems and payloads will evolve with different use cases is critical, and that innovation will come from outside typical prime contractors and venture capital companies entering the market with vertically integrated solutions,” he said, suggesting that Leidos might aim to leverage the capabilities of emerging and non-traditional companies to drive innovation in the cruise missile sector.

X-61A Gremlin
The X-61A Gremlin Air Vehicle as it gets reeled in by the mechanical arm installed inside the C-130. (Photo: DARPA)

Meeting the Demand for “Affordable Mass”

The “Black Arrow” program aligns with the growing recognition within defense circles that future conflicts may necessitate a shift towards “affordable mass” in long-range strike systems. This concept emphasizes the need for large numbers of relatively inexpensive weapons to overwhelm adversaries and compensate for potential losses.

The high cost of traditional cruise missiles, often exceeding one million dollars per unit, has raised concerns about the U.S. military’s ability to sustain prolonged engagements against near-peer adversaries. The ETV program, with its target price of $150,000 per unit, exemplifies the push for more cost-effective solutions.

Leidos’ “Black Arrow,” with its focus on affordability and modularity, appears well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. By leveraging model-based systems engineering, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, the company aims to streamline the SCM’s development and production processes, driving down costs without sacrificing capability.

The design also accommodates distributed manufacturing for individual subsystems, which can then be rapidly assembled and tested separately before final assembly. This approach, previously employed in the company’s SGM program, which has delivered over 4,000 units to date, ensures timely and cost-effective development, while maximizing adaptability and utility for the warfighter.

“Affordable mass at long range is a recognized concept in the strike systems community,” Miller said. “Our open architecture SCM solution is intended to integrate the best subsystem solutions, regardless of the source.” This comment is also directly linked to the previously mentioned aim to leverage the capabilities of emerging and non-traditional companies.

File photo of an AGM-158 JASSM being loaded on a B-52H. The ETV will be a cheaper alternatives to expensive weapons such as JASSM. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Wright)

Competition and the Future of Stand-off Strike

Leidos’ “Black Arrow” enters a competitive landscape where other defense contractors are also vying for a share of the burgeoning market for affordable, autonomous strike weapons. Notably, Anduril Industries recently unveiled its “Barracuda” family of AAVs, with the Barracuda-500 variant exhibiting characteristics closely aligned with the ETV program’s requirements.

Both the “Black Arrow” and the “Barracuda,” despite their different design approaches, reflect a broader trend towards the democratization of advanced military technologies. The increasing availability of sophisticated yet affordable weapons systems could have profound implications for future conflicts, potentially altering the balance of power between state and non-state actors.

As Leidos progresses towards guided flight tests and potential operational deployment of the “Black Arrow,” its success will depend on factors beyond technical performance. Navigating the complexities of defense procurement, demonstrating interoperability with existing systems, and addressing potential concerns about the ethical implications of autonomous weapons will be crucial for the “Black Arrow” to achieve widespread adoption and fulfill its promise as a game-changer in stand-off strike capabilities.

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Stefano D'Urso is a freelance journalist and contributor to TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he's also studying to achieve a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Electronic Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT techniques applied to the world of military operations and current conflicts are among his areas of expertise.
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