Anduril’s Barracuda-100M autonomous air vehicle (AAV) has successfully completed a new series of powered flight tests for the U.S. Army’s High-Speed Maneuverable Missile (HSMM) program, marking another key step in its rapid development timeline.
The tests, conducted in May 2025, are part of the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation & Missile Center’s (AvMC) ongoing effort to develop an affordable, high-speed, and modular missile testbed. The Barracuda-100M, developed by Anduril Industries, is central to this initiative and is being evaluated as a platform for the Army’s Precision Target Acquisition Seeker (PTAS) payload.
High-Speed, Precision-Driven Capabilities
The PTAS payload allows autonomous, passive tracking of targets using Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) imaging, enabling the system to seek previously identified targets based on visual correlation. Integrated into Anduril’s Lattice for Mission Autonomy software suite, the PTAS has demonstrated its capability to execute missions with minimal human input.
According to Anduril, recent powered flights included substantial upgrades: a proprietary low-cost navigator, an independent mission computer, and multiple design changes to improve manufacturing scalability. “The Barracuda-100M met or exceeded all test objectives, including autonomous launch, mission execution, and multiple terminal guidance strikes,” the company stated. The air vehicle reached speeds exceeding 500 knots and executed high-G maneuvers, validating its performance envelope in demanding scenarios.
Rapid Development and Multi-Domain Potential
Since 2023, Anduril has worked closely with the AvMC’s Technology Development Directorate to accelerate the Barracuda-100M from concept to powered flight in under two years. This includes a 12-month sprint covering wind tunnel trials, environmental testing, captive carriage flights, glide trials, and propulsion evaluations.
Later this year, ground-launched flight demonstrations will showcase Barracuda-100M’s cross-domain flexibility, aiming to unlock new operational possibilities for mobile ground units. The HSMM program will culminate in a live-fire demonstration at a government test range in 2026.
Designed for Mass and Flexibility
Purpose-built for scalable production, Barracuda-100M offers 10 times the range of a similarly priced Hellfire missile, making it a cost-effective tool for standoff engagements. Its software-defined design allows continuous upgrades and mission-specific reconfigurations, supporting a wide range of sensors and payloads. Compatible with fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, airlift platforms, and multiple ground-based launch systems, it provides operational commanders with flexible employment options across domains.
Javeria Sajid is an Aerospace Engineering student from NUST with a background in technology and a sharp focus on the global political landscape and defence innovation. She writes to make complex defence technologies understandable, and aspires to bridge journalism, policy, and engineering in her work.
