Anduril Industries has conducted a series of flight tests of its Barracuda-100M autonomous air vehicle (AAV) as part of the High-Speed Maneuverable Missile (HSMM) programme for the US Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).
The flight tests confirm the AAV’s enhanced capabilities and performance metrics, said the company.
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During these tests, held in May 2025, the Barracuda-100M received both software and hardware upgrades. This included the integration of an Anduril-developed low-cost navigator and independent mission computer.
Design modifications were also made to improve manufacturability.
The AAV met all test objectives, which includes autonomous launch, mission execution, and precision terminal guidance strikes, Anduril said.
The Barracuda-100M demonstrated its ability to perform high-G manoeuvres and reach speeds exceeding 500 knots.
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By GlobalDataThese performance benchmarks underscored the system’s capacity to deliver high performance within a compact, modular design, facilitating new operational concepts for tactical forces.
This series of flight tests marks a significant step towards the future deployment of the Barracuda-100M, noted the company.
The HSMM programme aims to develop a cost-effective, high-speed, agile, and modular air vehicle testbed for AvMC’s Precision Target Acquisition Seeker (PTAS) payload, which is developed by the government.
The PTAS payload is designed for passive, autonomous tracking of designated targets using video feedback and a Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) camera.
Anduril has successfully integrated PTAS payload autonomy into its Lattice for Mission Autonomy suite, highlighting the company’s ability to rapidly incorporate various payloads and mission systems due to its modular approach to hardware and software.
In collaboration with AvMC Technology Development Directorate (TDD-M), Anduril concluded a series of HSMM trade studies and design reviews for the Barracuda-100M in 2023.
The following year saw Anduril conducting transonic wind tunnel testing, environmental testing, captive carriage flights, glide tests, engine testing, and ultimately multiple powered flights for the HSMM programme.
This rapid progression from concept to powered flight was achieved in less than two years, including an intensive 12-month testing phase, stated the company.
Later in the year, Anduril plans to conduct ground-launch demonstrations of the Barracuda-100M within the HSMM program framework.
These tests are intended to validate the AAV’s multi-domain launch capabilities and provide mobile ground forces with a versatile, mass-producible munition capable of extended range and high-speed direct attacks.
The HSMM programme is set to conclude with a live fire demonstration at a government test range scheduled for 2026.
