The reported delivery of long-range precision-guided munitions under the Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) program to Ukraine, expected to begin in October with an initial batch of 3,350 units, has sparked significant debate. While some announcements suggest these deliveries are imminent, there remains uncertainty about the exact type of weapons that fall under the ERAM designation.
In reality, the ERAM is not a specific weapon system but the U.S. Air Force program launched in July 2024 to rapidly develop an affordable, mass-produced long-range strike capability tailored for Ukraine. As of early 2025, the Pentagon was still in the process of evaluating proposals from multiple defense contractors, with no single design officially selected. This ambiguity leaves open the question of what precise weapons Ukraine may receive in the fall.
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One of the most visible contenders in the ERAM program is the U.S.-based company CoAspire, which has presented its RAACM (Responsive Affordable Autonomous Cruise Missile). The company positions the RAACM as a fully functional cruise missile rather than simply an upgraded bomb. Comparable in size to the Mk82 500-pound bomb, the RAACM features foldable wings, a small turbojet engine, a guidance package, and a warhead. Its compatibility with any aircraft capable of deploying the JDAM munitions makes it highly versatile for Ukraine's current fleet.
What makes the RAACM particularly noteworthy is its reliance on 3D printing technology. By adopting additive manufacturing methods, CoAspire aims to dramatically lower production costs and increase output speed. This approach could directly address one of the ERAM program's most demanding requirements: the ability to produce 1,000 units per year, ensuring Ukraine receives both volume and persistence in long-range strike capabilities.
Technical specifications for the RAACM remain largely undisclosed, with no firm details on warhead weight or maximum range. However, the ERAM requirements call for a strike distance of up to 400 kilometers, a flight speed of at least Mach 0.6, and a payload in the 500-pound class. Precision remains another critical factor: the munition must achieve a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, even under conditions of GPS jamming, a common feature of russian electronic warfare.
The ERAM program also envisions flexibility in guidance and targeting systems. Proposals include integration with QuickSink, a dual-mode seeker combining radar and infrared imaging for engaging naval targets, as well as the FALCO, a likely infrared seeker derived from upgrades to the APKWS rockets used in counter-drone missions. Such modularity would allow Ukraine to adapt the same airframe to diverse missions, from striking hardened ground targets to disabling ships and drones.
Another intriguing but mysterious aspect of the ERAM involves references to BAE Systems' Marshall Deck of Cards and a software platform known as Shepherd. Details on these projects remain scarce, but their mention suggests the Pentagon is considering broader ecosystem elements, potentially related to networking, swarming, or advanced targeting algorithms. If integrated, such features could significantly enhance Ukraine's ability to conduct coordinated strikes at scale.
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