The Department of War’s U.S. Special Operations Command, or USSOCOM, has issued a sources sought notice to assess industry capabilities for a small cruise missile program following the successful completion of a prototype effort.
What Is USSOCOM Seeking?
According to the notice published Thursday on SAM.gov, USSOCOM’s Program Executive Office-Fixed Wing is conducting market research for the potential production and spiral development of a small cruise missile. The PEO-FW intends to determine whether other sources can provide similar or superior capabilities that can be delivered to the warfighter without significant cost duplication or schedule delays.
The market research builds on the recent completion of a prototype other transaction that demonstrated a missile capable of ejecting from an SOF C-130 aircraft and flying more than 400 nautical miles.
What Information Must Industry Provide?
Interested companies are asked to submit white papers outlining existing, demonstrated systems that meet or exceed the required performance characteristics. Submissions must address technology readiness level, schedule to achieve Technology Readiness Level 8, projected delivery timelines, non-recurring engineering costs and justification for government investment in an alternative system.
The cost target is $300,000 per All-Up Round, or AUR, based on a production quantity of 1,500 units. Responses are due on March 3.
Leidos’ Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile
USSOCOM’s notice comes amid recent industry demonstrations of small cruise missile technologies, including Leidos’ Black Arrow, which was flight-tested from an AC-130J aircraft in 2025. The company has described Black Arrow as a low-cost, 200-pound-class missile designed for kinetic and non-kinetic missions, capable of being deployed from cargo aircraft such as a C-130.
