Moog drives successful flight of new Black Arrow cruise missile to boost airborne strike options of US special forces
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On May 7, 2025, Moog Inc. announced that its Fin Control Actuation System (CAS) performed successfully during a guided end-to-end flight test of the Leidos-developed Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile (SCM), conducted from a U.S. Air Force AC-130J aircraft in November 2024. The test was carried out as part of a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Leidos, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The missile achieved all test objectives, including standoff range, flight duration, terminal accuracy, aircraft compatibility, and integration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Battle Management System (BMS).Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Moog’s Control Actuation System (CAS) controls the fins of the Black Arrow cruise missile, steering it throughout its flight and ensuring stable maneuverability and guidance from launch to impact. (Picture source: Leidos Dynetics)
In November 2024, a guided flight test of the Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile (SCM), conducted as part of a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Leidos, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), confirmed that the missile met all planned objectives. The test validated standoff range, flight duration, terminal guidance accuracy, aircraft compatibility, and system integration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Battle Management System (BMS). The missile was launched from a U.S. Air Force AC-130J aircraft using two Ramp Launch Tubes (RLT) mounted on the cargo ramp. A video of the launch, made public in April 2025, documented ejection in a tail-first orientation, deployment of a single-piece wing, and ignition of the propulsion system, although it did not include the point of impact. The missile’s flight was directed throughout by Moog Inc.’s Fin Control Actuation System (CAS), which includes four electromechanical actuators and one control electronics card per unit.
Moog Inc., a U.S.-based company, developed and delivered these CAS units to Leidos from its Salt Lake City, Utah, missile manufacturing center of excellence. The company has stated that the facility is prepared to expand production capacity to meet further requirements. Mike Gruver, Moog Group Senior Vice President, confirmed the company’s readiness to produce additional CAS shipsets in support of continued test activity and potential operational demand. Moog’s Fin CAS hardware previously supported programs such as the GBU-69 Small Glide Munition and the Dynetics X-61 Gremlins unmanned aerial system, both of which involved long-term collaboration with Leidos’ Dynetics Group. According to Mark Miller, Senior Vice President of Missile and Aviation Systems at Leidos, the Black Arrow SCM continues this cooperation by integrating strike system experience into a delivery platform designed for varied mission types.
The Black Arrow SCM is a 91-kilogram class cruise missile engineered to accommodate both kinetic and non-kinetic payloads. It is based on a modular, mission-adaptable structure and is designed for low-cost, large-scale production. The missile can be launched in several configurations, including via palletized drop, Ramp Launch Tube, or conventional fixed-wing stores pylon using a standard 355-millimeter lug spacing. It is compatible with launchers used by the MQ-9 Reaper drone and OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft, a militarized derivative of the AT-802, which was delivered to AFSOC in early 2025. The missile features cruciform deployable tail fins and an open system architecture. Its internal structure is segmented into a forward payload bay and a rear propulsion and guidance bus. Each payload section can support approximately 23 kilograms. Leidos stated that payload configurations are flexible and may include undisclosed non-kinetic options, in addition to the confirmed kinetic configuration consistent with initial USSOCOM requirements.
The missile is powered by a small turbojet engine, the specific type of which has previously been used in operational systems. The propulsion system supports a cruising speed up to Mach 0.8 and an altitude ceiling of 9,100 meters. Guidance is delivered by a conventional system supplemented by a terminal sensor, not publicly disclosed, that enables navigation in GPS-denied environments. Miller stated that onboard sensors are designed to maintain navigation functionality in electronically contested areas. During development, Leidos utilized model-based systems engineering and design standards aligned with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Weapon Open System Architecture to enable rapid manufacturing. The airframe includes modular sections to facilitate distributed manufacturing processes.
The AC-130J is a heavily armed gunship operated by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, designed for close air support, armed reconnaissance, and precision strike missions. (Picture source: US DoD)
Black Arrow’s range was confirmed in May 2025 to exceed 740 kilometers. This performance figure places it at the upper boundary of the range requirements once established by the Stand-Off Precision Guided Weapon (SPGW) program, which initially called for a cruise missile compatible with the Common Launch Tube (CLT) and capable of 370–740 kilometers range. Although the Black Arrow was found to be too large for the CLT requirement and was not selected for either the SPGW or Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) programs, multiple specifications from these initiatives—such as an EO/IR seeker, multi-mode seeker growth path, GPS/INS resilience, Link-16 and SADL datalink compatibility, and in-flight target acquisition—appear to have informed the SCM’s development. Leidos submitted a related concept with a target unit cost of $150,000 for the ETV program but was not awarded a contract.
The test in November 2024 followed several earlier evaluations. Store separation tests conducted in December 2023 from an AC-130J validated safe deployment parameters using digital twin modeling to assess dynamic behavior. These tests were followed by captive flight testing to verify flight software, navigation systems, and onboard safety mechanisms. In October 2024, Leidos announced the successful completion of captive carry and store safe separation tests. The following month, the guided flight test occurred, although the test itself was not publicly disclosed until five months later. The current contract with USSOCOM extends Black Arrow evaluation and testing through the end of calendar year 2025.
According to Col. Justin Bronder, USSOCOM Program Executive Officer for Fixed Wing Aircraft (PEO-FW), the Small Cruise Missile enhances AFSOC’s ability to complete long-range strike chains. Mark Miller stated during the Special Air Warfare Symposium in March 2025 that successful operational demonstration from the AC-130J and adherence to open architecture requirements positions Leidos to deliver the system on an accelerated timeline if required. The Black Arrow missile was also discussed during SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida, where Miller disclosed efforts to adapt the system for ground- and sea-based platforms.
Leidos has begun preliminary assessments of alternative launch methods. The company confirmed that the missile could be launched from the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) using a booster motor to achieve initial velocity before the cruise engine takes over. Naval applications are under review, though current development is focused on airborne integration. Miller stated that adaptation for shipboard launch is technically feasible, but emphasis remains on aircraft-based deployment. The RLT system is intended to enable low-quantity ripple fire from cargo aircraft, while the standard 355-millimeter lug spacing allows compatibility with other aircraft types.
The Black Arrow cruise missile was first developed by Leidos starting in 2021 and became part of a U.S. Special Operations Command program in 2022 aimed at creating low-cost, long-range weapons that could be launched from aircraft like the AC-130J. (Picture source: Leidos Dynetics)
The missile’s range allows aircraft such as the AC-130J to engage targets in a 1,480-kilometer diameter area while remaining outside high-threat environments. This is significant due to the platform’s relatively low survivability in contested airspace. A similar benefit may apply to the OA-1K and MQ-9, which are also being considered for integration with stand-off munitions. This increase in operational radius addresses requirements for distributed, low-cost strike capacity in future high-end conflicts, including potential contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Until May 2024, the existence of the Black Arrow missile had not been officially confirmed. A photograph of the system appeared in a briefing slide presented by SOCOM at SOF Week 2024. Since the start of the SCM CRADA in 2022, the strike weapons community has increasingly emphasized the operational value of low-cost munitions that can be manufactured and deployed in large numbers. The Black Arrow is designed to meet this requirement using design and production methods established during the development of the GBU-69 SGM, of which over 4,000 units had been delivered by April 2025.
Moog’s contribution to the Black Arrow program is part of its broader role in the missile control sector. The company manufactures precision actuation and control systems used in tactical missiles, guided projectiles, air defense interceptors, and hypersonic vehicles. Its product offerings include thrust vector control, wing deploy mechanisms, fin control, fluid and roll control systems, integrated propulsion modules, seeker actuation, avionics, and shock isolation structures. In addition to the Salt Lake City production facility, Moog operates design and manufacturing centers in East Aurora (New York), Niagara Falls, Mountain View, Gilbert, Blacksburg, and Cork, Ireland. A future Missile CAS production capability is being established in Melbourne, Australia. The company maintains preferred supplier status with defense primes and has supplied over one million control systems globally.
Moog has supported the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for more than three decades and remains active across strategic missile platforms, including Minuteman III, Trident, Titan, Sentinel, and Peacekeeper. Its heritage in missile control began in the 1950s with the development of electrohydraulic servo valves. Today, Moog supports applications requiring electromechanical and electrohydrostatic actuation, safe/arm switching, avionics integration, and radiation-hardened control electronics for environments including air, land, sea, and space. Leidos remains under contract with USSOCOM to continue the development and testing of the Black Arrow SCM throughout 2025. The company’s missile design strategy is based on open system architecture, modular manufacturing, and cost-efficient production. Black Arrow is designed to meet current demands for rapidly deployable, platform-flexible, stand-off munitions.
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On May 7, 2025, Moog Inc. announced that its Fin Control Actuation System (CAS) performed successfully during a guided end-to-end flight test of the Leidos-developed Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile (SCM), conducted from a U.S. Air Force AC-130J aircraft in November 2024. The test was carried out as part of a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Leidos, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The missile achieved all test objectives, including standoff range, flight duration, terminal accuracy, aircraft compatibility, and integration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Battle Management System (BMS).
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Moog’s Control Actuation System (CAS) controls the fins of the Black Arrow cruise missile, steering it throughout its flight and ensuring stable maneuverability and guidance from launch to impact. (Picture source: Leidos Dynetics)
In November 2024, a guided flight test of the Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile (SCM), conducted as part of a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Leidos, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), confirmed that the missile met all planned objectives. The test validated standoff range, flight duration, terminal guidance accuracy, aircraft compatibility, and system integration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Battle Management System (BMS). The missile was launched from a U.S. Air Force AC-130J aircraft using two Ramp Launch Tubes (RLT) mounted on the cargo ramp. A video of the launch, made public in April 2025, documented ejection in a tail-first orientation, deployment of a single-piece wing, and ignition of the propulsion system, although it did not include the point of impact. The missile’s flight was directed throughout by Moog Inc.’s Fin Control Actuation System (CAS), which includes four electromechanical actuators and one control electronics card per unit.
Moog Inc., a U.S.-based company, developed and delivered these CAS units to Leidos from its Salt Lake City, Utah, missile manufacturing center of excellence. The company has stated that the facility is prepared to expand production capacity to meet further requirements. Mike Gruver, Moog Group Senior Vice President, confirmed the company’s readiness to produce additional CAS shipsets in support of continued test activity and potential operational demand. Moog’s Fin CAS hardware previously supported programs such as the GBU-69 Small Glide Munition and the Dynetics X-61 Gremlins unmanned aerial system, both of which involved long-term collaboration with Leidos’ Dynetics Group. According to Mark Miller, Senior Vice President of Missile and Aviation Systems at Leidos, the Black Arrow SCM continues this cooperation by integrating strike system experience into a delivery platform designed for varied mission types.
The Black Arrow SCM is a 91-kilogram class cruise missile engineered to accommodate both kinetic and non-kinetic payloads. It is based on a modular, mission-adaptable structure and is designed for low-cost, large-scale production. The missile can be launched in several configurations, including via palletized drop, Ramp Launch Tube, or conventional fixed-wing stores pylon using a standard 355-millimeter lug spacing. It is compatible with launchers used by the MQ-9 Reaper drone and OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft, a militarized derivative of the AT-802, which was delivered to AFSOC in early 2025. The missile features cruciform deployable tail fins and an open system architecture. Its internal structure is segmented into a forward payload bay and a rear propulsion and guidance bus. Each payload section can support approximately 23 kilograms. Leidos stated that payload configurations are flexible and may include undisclosed non-kinetic options, in addition to the confirmed kinetic configuration consistent with initial USSOCOM requirements.
The missile is powered by a small turbojet engine, the specific type of which has previously been used in operational systems. The propulsion system supports a cruising speed up to Mach 0.8 and an altitude ceiling of 9,100 meters. Guidance is delivered by a conventional system supplemented by a terminal sensor, not publicly disclosed, that enables navigation in GPS-denied environments. Miller stated that onboard sensors are designed to maintain navigation functionality in electronically contested areas. During development, Leidos utilized model-based systems engineering and design standards aligned with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Weapon Open System Architecture to enable rapid manufacturing. The airframe includes modular sections to facilitate distributed manufacturing processes.
The AC-130J is a heavily armed gunship operated by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, designed for close air support, armed reconnaissance, and precision strike missions. (Picture source: US DoD)
Black Arrow’s range was confirmed in May 2025 to exceed 740 kilometers. This performance figure places it at the upper boundary of the range requirements once established by the Stand-Off Precision Guided Weapon (SPGW) program, which initially called for a cruise missile compatible with the Common Launch Tube (CLT) and capable of 370–740 kilometers range. Although the Black Arrow was found to be too large for the CLT requirement and was not selected for either the SPGW or Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) programs, multiple specifications from these initiatives—such as an EO/IR seeker, multi-mode seeker growth path, GPS/INS resilience, Link-16 and SADL datalink compatibility, and in-flight target acquisition—appear to have informed the SCM’s development. Leidos submitted a related concept with a target unit cost of $150,000 for the ETV program but was not awarded a contract.
The test in November 2024 followed several earlier evaluations. Store separation tests conducted in December 2023 from an AC-130J validated safe deployment parameters using digital twin modeling to assess dynamic behavior. These tests were followed by captive flight testing to verify flight software, navigation systems, and onboard safety mechanisms. In October 2024, Leidos announced the successful completion of captive carry and store safe separation tests. The following month, the guided flight test occurred, although the test itself was not publicly disclosed until five months later. The current contract with USSOCOM extends Black Arrow evaluation and testing through the end of calendar year 2025.
According to Col. Justin Bronder, USSOCOM Program Executive Officer for Fixed Wing Aircraft (PEO-FW), the Small Cruise Missile enhances AFSOC’s ability to complete long-range strike chains. Mark Miller stated during the Special Air Warfare Symposium in March 2025 that successful operational demonstration from the AC-130J and adherence to open architecture requirements positions Leidos to deliver the system on an accelerated timeline if required. The Black Arrow missile was also discussed during SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida, where Miller disclosed efforts to adapt the system for ground- and sea-based platforms.
Leidos has begun preliminary assessments of alternative launch methods. The company confirmed that the missile could be launched from the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) using a booster motor to achieve initial velocity before the cruise engine takes over. Naval applications are under review, though current development is focused on airborne integration. Miller stated that adaptation for shipboard launch is technically feasible, but emphasis remains on aircraft-based deployment. The RLT system is intended to enable low-quantity ripple fire from cargo aircraft, while the standard 355-millimeter lug spacing allows compatibility with other aircraft types.
The Black Arrow cruise missile was first developed by Leidos starting in 2021 and became part of a U.S. Special Operations Command program in 2022 aimed at creating low-cost, long-range weapons that could be launched from aircraft like the AC-130J. (Picture source: Leidos Dynetics)
The missile’s range allows aircraft such as the AC-130J to engage targets in a 1,480-kilometer diameter area while remaining outside high-threat environments. This is significant due to the platform’s relatively low survivability in contested airspace. A similar benefit may apply to the OA-1K and MQ-9, which are also being considered for integration with stand-off munitions. This increase in operational radius addresses requirements for distributed, low-cost strike capacity in future high-end conflicts, including potential contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Until May 2024, the existence of the Black Arrow missile had not been officially confirmed. A photograph of the system appeared in a briefing slide presented by SOCOM at SOF Week 2024. Since the start of the SCM CRADA in 2022, the strike weapons community has increasingly emphasized the operational value of low-cost munitions that can be manufactured and deployed in large numbers. The Black Arrow is designed to meet this requirement using design and production methods established during the development of the GBU-69 SGM, of which over 4,000 units had been delivered by April 2025.
Moog’s contribution to the Black Arrow program is part of its broader role in the missile control sector. The company manufactures precision actuation and control systems used in tactical missiles, guided projectiles, air defense interceptors, and hypersonic vehicles. Its product offerings include thrust vector control, wing deploy mechanisms, fin control, fluid and roll control systems, integrated propulsion modules, seeker actuation, avionics, and shock isolation structures. In addition to the Salt Lake City production facility, Moog operates design and manufacturing centers in East Aurora (New York), Niagara Falls, Mountain View, Gilbert, Blacksburg, and Cork, Ireland. A future Missile CAS production capability is being established in Melbourne, Australia. The company maintains preferred supplier status with defense primes and has supplied over one million control systems globally.
Moog has supported the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for more than three decades and remains active across strategic missile platforms, including Minuteman III, Trident, Titan, Sentinel, and Peacekeeper. Its heritage in missile control began in the 1950s with the development of electrohydraulic servo valves. Today, Moog supports applications requiring electromechanical and electrohydrostatic actuation, safe/arm switching, avionics integration, and radiation-hardened control electronics for environments including air, land, sea, and space. Leidos remains under contract with USSOCOM to continue the development and testing of the Black Arrow SCM throughout 2025. The company’s missile design strategy is based on open system architecture, modular manufacturing, and cost-efficient production. Black Arrow is designed to meet current demands for rapidly deployable, platform-flexible, stand-off munitions.
