The Air Force announced that it has successfully conducted a live-warhead test of a new standoff cruise missile, the Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM), on Jan. 21, just 16 months after the contract for the ERAM program was awarded.
ERAM is designed to strike high-value fixed targets from standoff range at relatively low cost. In 2024, contracts were awarded to Zone 5 Technologies and CoAspire to develop prototypes for the program.
“From contract award to live fire in under 16 months, the U.S. Air Force’s ERAM program is delivering critical capabilities at speed, giving the Department of War the tools it needs to deter and defend,” Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy E. Meink said in a post on X.
This is acquisition transformation in action!
From contract to live fire in under 16 months, the @usaairforce ERAM program is delivering critical capabilities at speed, so the @DeptofWar has the tools it needs to deter and defend. https://t.co/5UqMpGuaKl
— Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (@SecAFOfficial) February 4, 2026
The Air Force said the test at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida met all primary objectives, including full warhead detonation, and gathered critical data to advance a new, cost-effective, long-range strike capability.
“The future fight demands we create an asymmetric advantage by developing cost-effective, attritable systems like ERAM that give commanders the ability to generate mass,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, 96th TW commander.
“This test is a critical milestone on that path. The expert teams who executed this complex mission provided the high-fidelity data we need to validate this system, ensuring that when it reaches the warfighter, it is a proven and ready tool for the right target. This is the cornerstone of building a more lethal and effective Joint Force,” Massaro added.
In August 2025, the State Department formally approved Ukraine’s request to purchase 3,550 ERAMs for an estimated $850 million. It is unclear whether any deliveries have occurred.
A spokesperson for Eglin Air Force Base declined to comment on specific operational details or timelines for foreign military transfers.
“The recent live-fire test of the ERAM you saw is an example of the Armament Directorate’s ongoing work to continuously develop and prove our capabilities,” the spokesperson told DefenseScoop. “Regarding what specific systems have been provided or plan to be provided to Ukraine, we can only refer to what the administration has officially announced.”
