The U.S. aims to enhance a long-range missile-bomb designed for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Here are the details.

The United States is developing a long-range missile-bomb for the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the ERAM program (Extended Range Active Missile), with most details being classified. As part of this initiative, the American military aims to integrate the advanced Quicksink guidance system into the munition, as reported by Defense Express.

The basic terms of the contract stipulate that ERAM is expected to be ready within two years, potentially by 2026. The production volumes for the munition are planned to reach 1000 units annually.

According to information from The War Zone, the Weapons Directorate of the U.S. Air Force's Life Cycle Management Center reported progress in the ERAM program. Specifically, it was stated that the creators of ERAM are selecting a guidance system that can operate without GPS navigation if necessary.

This context led to the idea of potentially integrating the Quicksink guidance system into ERAM. The U.S. Air Force has allegedly already requested pricing for the first ten prototypes of such a device, which could be integrated into the advanced munition.

The unique feature of Quicksink, as clarified by TWZ, is that this target coordinator integrates both radar and infrared guidance systems. Quicksink has already been tested with integration on the GBU-31/B JDAM and proved to be immune to electronic warfare countermeasures when directly targeting.

Currently, Quicksink costs $200,000 per unit, but during the development of this guidance system, the clients hope the price may decrease to $50,000.

There is also hope that Quicksink can be integrated not only on JDAM or ERAM but also on other types of aerial munitions that the U.S. Air Force currently possesses or may acquire in the foreseeable future.

Additionally, we reported that in the fall of 2024, the U.S. ordered small-diameter bombs GBU-39/B for its own air forces as well as for buyers from Japan, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.