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U.S. Approves 3,350 Extended-Range Air-Launched Munitions for Ukraine

Use of the new weapons will require Pentagon approval under a review process that has curtailed long-range strikes into Russia.

Overview

  • The $850 million package is reported to be largely financed by European partners, with initial deliveries expected to begin in about six weeks.
  • Unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal say the munitions have an estimated 150–280 mile range, a roughly 500-pound warhead, and sub-10-meter accuracy, with performance details not yet officially confirmed.
  • The system traces to a 2024 U.S. Air Force effort seeking an affordable, mass-producible air-launched weapon designed to function in GPS-degraded environments.
  • Officials told the Journal that Ukraine must obtain Pentagon sign-off before employing the weapons, reflecting the same oversight that has blocked some ATACMS strikes inside Russia.
  • Analysts say the added standoff capacity could disrupt Russian logistics and energy infrastructure, though they note the broader strategic effect of deep strikes remains contested.