WASHINGTON — US defense startup Covenant has unveiled a new long-range cruise missile designed to be produced rapidly and at significantly lower cost than comparable weapons developed by major defense contractors.
The missile, named “Anthem,” was unveiled on Wednesday after two years of research and testing. The company says the ground-launched weapon is capable of carrying a warhead weighing more than 200 kilograms.
The development comes as the United States and its allies seek to replenish missile inventories depleted during the war with Iran. The conflict has accelerated efforts to develop precision long-range strike weapons that can be manufactured in large quantities at relatively low cost.
Anthem is launched from the ground using a solid rocket motor before transitioning to a heavy-fuel jet engine for sustained flight, according to Covenant.
The company said the missile has undergone more than 200 test launches over the past year as part of its development and evaluation programme.
Michael Koffman, Covenant’s co-founder and chief executive, said existing comparable weapons produced by major defense contractors are generally manufactured in limited quantities and come with high price tags.
He said Covenant developed Anthem with the aim of changing that model by producing a long-range precision weapon more affordably and at scale.
Covenant President Abby Denberg said the missile was developed with a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific in mind.
“We prepared with a conflict with China in mind,” Denberg said, highlighting the strategic considerations behind the weapon’s development.
The unveiling underscores growing efforts within the US defense industry to expand the production of affordable precision weapons as Washington prepares for the possibility of high-intensity conflicts that could rapidly consume existing missile stockpiles.
COMMENTS