Breaking News: Black Arrow cruise missile to extend long-range strike capabilities of US Drones and Light Attack Aircraft
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According to Defense One, on May 9, 2025, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) advanced its cruise missile modernization strategy by expanding the integration of the Black Arrow missile, developed with Leidos, to the MQ-9 Reaper UAV and the OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft. This initiative follows successful tests aboard the AC-130 gunship and aligns with AFSOC’s doctrine of augmenting combat power through cost-effective retrofits rather than new acquisitions. Designed to counter the growing threat from adversarial air defense systems, this new phase reflects the shift in U.S. special operations strategy towards flexible, long-range precision strike capabilities. The program’s relevance is underscored by current demands in CENTCOM and Indo-Pacific theaters, where high-end adversary systems are becoming more accessible to non-state actors.
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The Black Arrow missile is a compact cruise missile whose technical specifications remain classified but which reportedly resembles Lockheed Martin’s Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT) missile family (Picture source: Leidos)
The Black Arrow missile is a compact cruise missile whose technical specifications remain classified but which reportedly resembles Lockheed Martin’s Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT) missile family. Originally designed for integration on the AC-130 gunship, the missile was successfully tested in March 2025, confirming its compatibility with existing Air Force platforms. The current phase envisions deployment on the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft, extending their operational reach by up to 600 miles or 950 kilometers with precision strike capabilities, a leap in tactical flexibility for platforms originally designed for surveillance or close air support. This transition addresses the evolving threat landscape where even irregular forces, such as the Houthis, are gaining access to advanced air defenses, necessitating standoff weaponry for survivability and mission success.
Initiated in 2021, the Black Arrow missile project entered formal development in 2022 under a Research and Development agreement between Leidos and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Leidos remains the lead contractor, holding a development and testing contract valid through the end of 2025. The integration into MQ-9 Reaper platforms is viewed as a logical next step, given the drone’s endurance and loitering capabilities. As explained by AFSOC officials during SOF Week in Tampa, the goal is to provide legacy platforms with fighter jet-like standoff capabilities, without the procurement cost of fifth- or sixth-generation systems. This approach mirrors broader Pentagon trends favoring modular payload upgrades and artificial intelligence-supported systems.
Strategically, this effort allows AFSOC to respond more effectively to rising tensions across multiple theaters, from CENTCOM operations in the Middle East to increasing commitments in the Indo-Pacific. Cruise missile capabilities on drones are especially significant for contested environments where traditional manned aircraft face higher risk. While the overall budget for the Black Arrow remains undisclosed, its developmental pathway reflects the emergence of affordable, software-integrated missiles designed to operate within modern networked command systems. Comparatively, Black Arrow fits into the same conceptual niche as Israel’s Delilah or the Turkish SOM-J, though adapted for U.S. platforms and with a strong emphasis on integration and survivability in complex operational environments. No export contracts or foreign adoption have yet been announced.The integration of the Black Arrow missile onto platforms such as the MQ-9 Reaper and OA-1K Skyraider II marks a significant step in the U.S. Special Operations Command’s evolution toward adaptable, affordable, and high-impact strike solutions. By leveraging the existing operational footprint of legacy airframes and aligning with emerging mission demands, AFSOC and Leidos are reshaping battlefield expectations in favor of precision, reach, and survivability.
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According to Defense One, on May 9, 2025, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) advanced its cruise missile modernization strategy by expanding the integration of the Black Arrow missile, developed with Leidos, to the MQ-9 Reaper UAV and the OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft. This initiative follows successful tests aboard the AC-130 gunship and aligns with AFSOC’s doctrine of augmenting combat power through cost-effective retrofits rather than new acquisitions. Designed to counter the growing threat from adversarial air defense systems, this new phase reflects the shift in U.S. special operations strategy towards flexible, long-range precision strike capabilities. The program’s relevance is underscored by current demands in CENTCOM and Indo-Pacific theaters, where high-end adversary systems are becoming more accessible to non-state actors.
The Black Arrow missile is a compact cruise missile whose technical specifications remain classified but which reportedly resembles Lockheed Martin’s Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT) missile family (Picture source: Leidos)
The Black Arrow missile is a compact cruise missile whose technical specifications remain classified but which reportedly resembles Lockheed Martin’s Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT) missile family. Originally designed for integration on the AC-130 gunship, the missile was successfully tested in March 2025, confirming its compatibility with existing Air Force platforms. The current phase envisions deployment on the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft, extending their operational reach by up to 600 miles or 950 kilometers with precision strike capabilities, a leap in tactical flexibility for platforms originally designed for surveillance or close air support. This transition addresses the evolving threat landscape where even irregular forces, such as the Houthis, are gaining access to advanced air defenses, necessitating standoff weaponry for survivability and mission success.
Initiated in 2021, the Black Arrow missile project entered formal development in 2022 under a Research and Development agreement between Leidos and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Leidos remains the lead contractor, holding a development and testing contract valid through the end of 2025. The integration into MQ-9 Reaper platforms is viewed as a logical next step, given the drone’s endurance and loitering capabilities. As explained by AFSOC officials during SOF Week in Tampa, the goal is to provide legacy platforms with fighter jet-like standoff capabilities, without the procurement cost of fifth- or sixth-generation systems. This approach mirrors broader Pentagon trends favoring modular payload upgrades and artificial intelligence-supported systems.
Strategically, this effort allows AFSOC to respond more effectively to rising tensions across multiple theaters, from CENTCOM operations in the Middle East to increasing commitments in the Indo-Pacific. Cruise missile capabilities on drones are especially significant for contested environments where traditional manned aircraft face higher risk. While the overall budget for the Black Arrow remains undisclosed, its developmental pathway reflects the emergence of affordable, software-integrated missiles designed to operate within modern networked command systems. Comparatively, Black Arrow fits into the same conceptual niche as Israel’s Delilah or the Turkish SOM-J, though adapted for U.S. platforms and with a strong emphasis on integration and survivability in complex operational environments. No export contracts or foreign adoption have yet been announced.
The integration of the Black Arrow missile onto platforms such as the MQ-9 Reaper and OA-1K Skyraider II marks a significant step in the U.S. Special Operations Command’s evolution toward adaptable, affordable, and high-impact strike solutions. By leveraging the existing operational footprint of legacy airframes and aligning with emerging mission demands, AFSOC and Leidos are reshaping battlefield expectations in favor of precision, reach, and survivability.
