The US Air Force (USAF) has revealed that Ukraine is the intended recipient of a new precision-guided air-launched munition. The proposed Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) will have a standoff range of 250 nautical miles. This offers Ukrainian Air Force jets greater range compared to Western-supplied precision-guided bombs that have a range of 40-45 miles.
The ERAM is considered a pivotal asset for Ukraine’s warfighter needs and is seen as an affordable mass weapon that can be produced at scale. The munition’s initial phases are being contracted out, with production slated to begin within 24 months of awarding the contract.
The ERAM will have a speed of at least Mach 0.6 and will operate in GPS-denied environments. It will be accurate within 10 meters and retain accuracy even under high electronic jamming. The 500-pound weapon will have a warhead capable of blast, fragmentation, and limited penetration effects.