In the face of growing global tensions, particularly with China, the U.S. military finds itself in need of cost-effective yet powerful munitions. Barracuda-M, a mass-producible cruise missile, has emerged as a viable alternative to expensive cruise missiles, offering a more affordable option without compromising lethality.
Developed by California-based defense contractor Anduril, the Barracuda-M series represents a significant leap forward in missile technology. These ‘expendable autonomous air vehicles’ (AAVs) are designed to be scalable, highly modular, and are currently undergoing flight tests.
The Barracuda-M Family
According to the company, the Barracuda family includes three variants: Barracuda-100, Barracuda-250, and Barracuda-500. Each offers increased size, range, and payload capacity.
Despite their differences, all Barracuda models are compatible with a wide range of payloads and mission types, providing adaptable and upgradeable capabilities for evolving threats.
Each variant also has an “M” configuration, the munitions version of Barracuda. The Barracuda-M series focuses on relatively low-cost, air-breathing precision munitions that can be launched from helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, as well as maritime and ground platforms.
The Barracuda-M line is designed for versatile use against a range of land and sea targets. Anduril continues to refine the guidance systems to effectively engage both stationary and moving targets across various environments.
The Barracuda-M’s air-breathing turbojet engines enable high speed, maneuverability, and extended range by drawing in air to combust fuel. With conformal intakes built into the body, these vehicles can reach speeds of up to 500 knots, depending on launch conditions and other factors, according to Anduril.
EurAsian Times explored the unique features of the Barracuda-M that set it apart from other cruise missiles.
AI, Modularity & Adaptability
According to Commander Rahul Verma (Retd.), former Director of Innovation at the Indian Navy, The Barracuda-M stands out due to its autonomy and AI, which allows it to abort attacks if necessary.
It’s data-linked for real-time battle damage assessment (BDA) and capable of prioritizing multiple targets. This makes it more adaptable than standard cruise missiles, which typically follow a pre-programmed path without such advanced real-time decision-making capabilities.
Unlike traditional cruise missiles, which are optimized for specific strike missions, the Barracuda-M integrates AI, advanced sensors, and multi-domain adaptability, allowing it to operate in diverse environments, including air, sea, and undersea. Its modularity supports various payloads, making it more versatile than standard cruise missiles, which are typically focused on precision land or sea strikes with less flexibility.
While traditional cruise missiles excel in precision, the Barracuda-M’s AI-driven flexibility, modularity, and advanced sensor integration provide a significant edge in modern warfare, Verma explained. He currently serves as an Emerging Technology and Prioritization Innovation Scout (ETPIS) for a leading Indian multinational corporation.
Shot Dead In A Submarine –The Nerve-Wracking Story Of N.Korean Commandos & Their Failed Espionage
Faster Production & Lower Costs
According to Anduril, The Barracuda-M series is designed for rapid, cost-effective, large-scale production. Compared to competing cruise missiles, each Barracuda takes 50% less time to produce, requires 95% fewer tools, and uses 50% fewer parts. This efficiency makes the Barracuda family 30% cheaper on average than other solutions, enabling mass deployment at lower costs.
All Barracuda models share a similar design, featuring pop-out wings and folding tail fins. They are equipped with advanced autonomous capabilities and software-defined functions and come in configurations offering over 500 nautical miles of range, 100+ pounds of payload capacity, 5 Gs of maneuverability, and over 120 minutes of loitering time.
The Barracuda-M also benefits from the capability to operate as part of fully networked swarms, enabling collaborative action among munitions.
Remarkably, it can be assembled using just ten or fewer tools, utilizing commercially available components across six common subsystems. “These systems can be assembled with tools that you likely have in your garage—screwdrivers, pliers, and similar items,” said Chris Brose, Anduril’s chief strategy officer, during a media event. By reducing the number of tools and simplifying the manufacturing process, costs can be significantly lowered.
In contrast, traditional cruise missiles suffer from limited production capacity and minimal adaptability. They rely on complex designs that require thousands of unique tools, specialized labor, and fragile defense-specific supply chains, making them less responsive to evolving technological and mission requirements.
Anduril: A Key Player In The Defense Innovation
Anduril’s innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. The company’s design – Barracuda, is one of four chosen by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for its Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) initiative in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force. This recognition underscores the potential of the Barracuda-M to address the military’s need for more cost-effective cruise missiles.
Founded in 2017, Anduril is a relatively new player in the defense industry but has been steadily securing major contracts with the U.S. military and foreign forces.
In August 2024, Anduril secured $1.5 billion to expedite the production of autonomous weapons for the U.S. military and its allies. This investment was spearheaded by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, one of the first major venture capital firms to invest in defense technology.
The company is now focusing on expanding its production capacity, including plans for a “hyperscale” factory in the United States announced earlier this year.
Production Is Deterrence
The development of the Barracuda-M comes at a critical time. Recent conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, have exposed significant shortcomings in the United States’ ability to rapidly scale up the production of essential weapons.
“Our goal is to create systems with fewer parts that are easier to produce, ensuring the U.S. and its allies have the tools to deter expansionist dictatorships like China. In war games, we see the U.S. out of critical munitions, particularly missiles, in just a few days of conflict. For years, Anduril has been developing a family of systems to address this,” said Anduril Founder Palmer Luckey in an interview with ‘Bloomberg Technology.’
The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes that effective deterrence requires substantial stockpiles of standoff missiles, maritime strike weapons, and layered air and missile defenses. The Barracuda-M family, with its scalable production and advanced capabilities, could play a crucial role in shifting the balance of power and reinforcing deterrence.
To effectively deter and, if necessary, defeat rivals like China and Russia, the Department of Defense requires substantial stockpiles of standoff missiles, maritime strike weapons, and layered air and missile defenses. Ultimately, the strength of the industrial base will determine whether the U.S. can produce enough weapons to fulfill its national defense strategy.
According to the national defense strategy, deterrence is bolstered by actions that diminish a competitor’s perception of the benefits of aggression. The scaled production and integration of systems like the Barracuda-M across the military could play a crucial role in shifting that balance toward restraint.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for E.T. Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
