US Army seeks 8,000 short-range missiles per year

August 26, 2026 at 11:51 PM2 min

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The U.S. Army issued a Sources Sought notice seeking a Hellfire-like missile with a minimum range of 500 meters and maximum range of 8,000 meters or greater. Contractors must submit technology and performance details by Sept. 15. The Army also selected five companies for nuclear microreactors at five bases under a $2.2 billion Project Janus contract.

Key Facts

The Army's Sources Sought notice sets a Sept. 15 deadline for submissions.
The missile must have a minimum range of 1,640 feet (500 meters) and a maximum range of 2,6246 feet (8,000 meters) or greater.
Initial delivery of up to 8,000 missiles is scheduled to be completed within two years after contract award, followed by annual orders of up to 8,000 missiles.
The Army selected Antares Nuclear, BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Radiant Industries, and Westinghouse Government Services for Project Janus microreactors.
The Project Janus contract is worth up to $2.2 billion and covers microreactors at Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood, Fort Benning, and Fort Drum.

Missile Requirements

The Army is seeking a weapon similar to the existing Hellfire and Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, according to the Sources Sought notice. The missile should be capable of integrating with joint manned and unmanned air, ground and waterborne platforms using a M299 launcher or equivalent. Potential targets include heavy/light armor track vehicles, command and control nodes, air defense artillery radars, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and small fast attack maritime targets. The missile should be capable of operating amid jamming and GPS denial. Contractors must provide technology and performance details on seeker sensors, warhead and propulsion solution.

Production Timeline

Companies are expected to have their manufacturing and supplier base set up by late 2028. The initial delivery of up to 8,000 missiles is scheduled to be completed within two years after contract award. This would be followed by annual orders of up to 8,000 missiles per year. The notice states that interested sources shall submit verifiable evidence demonstrating their capability to produce, test, and deliver the specified quantities within the mandated lead times. Submissions must confirm the utilization of an active, qualified, and operational production line.

Project Janus Microreactors

Army officials have selected five firms to build nuclear microreactors at U.S. military bases as a bid to create energy independence. The service and the Defense Innovation Unit unveiled the initiative, dubbed Project Janus, at last year's Association of the U.S. Army Conference in Washington, D.C. Officials are awarding up to $2.2 billion to the pool of five companies through a milestone-based Other Transaction Authority contract with fixed-price milestones. The firms and bases are: Antares Nuclear at Fort Bragg, BWXT Advanced Technologies at Fort Campbell, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems at Fort Hood, Radiant Industries at Fort Benning, and Westinghouse Government Services at Fort Drum. Jeff Waksman, the Army's principal deputy assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment, said the domestic electric grid is potentially at risk in a conflict and fossil fuels may not be easily movable.