Anduril Unveils Steelfin Modular Interceptor Family Offering 80% of PAC-3 Capability at Half the Cost

Anduril Industries unveiled on October 12 the Steelfin family of configurable surface-to-air interceptor missiles designed to counter drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic threats. The two-stage architecture features a first-stage booster for range and launch configurations and a second-stage terminal interceptor with airframe, avionics, and flight controls common across variants, allowing interceptors to move through the same production line. Anduril spokesperson Steve Milano told The War Zone that the Steelfin configuration designed to perform PAC-3 missions will provide about 80 percent of PAC-3's capabilities at less than half the cost of a PAC-3 missile. Milano also stated that a more powerful Steelfin variant would sit somewhere above PAC-3 MSE and below THAAD, accomplishing 100 percent of the THAAD mission at a fraction of the cost. The company stated it plans to produce several thousand Steelfin variants per year in the short term. Steelfin variants are compatible with established land- and sea-based launch infrastructure including the M903A2, Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, and Typhon, and are designed to integrate with fielded fire control software systems such as AEGIS and IBCS. Anduril will begin flight testing Steelfin variants next year and has already completed ballistic testing with representative air vehicles.

The timing positions Anduril to compete for the U.S. Army's Future Interceptor program, which aims to fill a range gap between the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement and the THAAD Talon interceptor. The modular approach addresses military demand for interceptors as air defense stocks face pressure from drone and missile threats, though actual performance and cost claims remain unverified pending flight testing.

Sources

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