Overview
- The award funds production and delivery of the Next-Generation C-UAS Missile under the Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor program.
- AeroVironment’s selected design, the Freedom Eagle (FE-1), completed live-fire dual-thrust motor shots, controlled launches and warhead evaluations.
- The interceptor is intended to defeat Group 2 and Group 3 unmanned aircraft with residual capability against Group 1 as well as fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.
- Program goals include a roughly $200,000 unit-cost target to support affordable, scalable counter-drone defenses.
- Managed by the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center through the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium, the effort moves from competition with RTX to accelerated fielding.