Defense & Military
USAF Tests Low-Cost FAMM-L Cruise Missile on F-16 at Eglin AFB
In March 2026, the USAF successfully integrated and tested the FAMM-L cruise missile on the F-16, advancing affordable mass munitions capability.
This article is based on an official press release from Team Eglin, supplemented by defense research reports.
The United States Air Force has achieved a critical milestone in its urgent strategic shift toward “affordable mass.” In March 2026, test teams at Eglin Air Force Base successfully executed a rapid integration and flight test of a new low-cost cruise missile variant on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, culminating in a successful live carriage and release.
According to an official press release from Team Eglin and supplementary defense research reports, the weapon tested was the Family of Affordable Mass Munitions-Lugged (FAMM-L). This successful demonstration highlights the military’s push to procure large quantities of highly capable, expendable munitions to offset the rapid depletion of expensive, exquisite weapons in potential high-intensity conflicts.
By proving that the ubiquitous F-16 can serve as a launch platform for these new low-cost cruise missiles, the Air Force is taking tangible steps to address critical inventory shortfalls identified during recent conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Rapid Testing and Integration at Eglin AFB
The March 2026 test series at Eglin Air Force Base was designed to rapidly onboard and validate the FAMM-L weapon system. According to defense research reports detailing the event, the scope of testing was comprehensive. It included fit and functionality checks, validation of loading procedures, and flight compatibility assurance. The teams also navigated experimental configurations and high-risk envelope expansion before concluding with the successful live release from the aircraft.
Collaborative Execution
The speed of this integration was made possible by a highly collaborative effort across multiple Air Force agencies. The 96th Test Wing served as the lead developmental test agency, while the 53rd Wing acted as the lead operational test agency. Oversight of the munitions was managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), with the 780th Test Squadron and 40th Flight Test Squadron executing the operational and flight testing.
Military officials emphasized the agility of the combined units. In a statement regarding the rapid testing timeline, the Commander of the 780th Test Squadron, Lt. Col. Brett Tillman, praised the joint effort:
“Integrating the entire test team allowed us to safely test and deliver a critical capability at incredible speed.”
This sentiment was echoed by Lt. Col. Taylor Wilson, Commander of the 40th Flight Test Squadron, who noted the operational focus of the mission:
“The combined test team is laser focused on accelerating experimentation to deliver capability into the hands of warfighters, faster.”
The Strategic Shift to “Affordable Mass”
The Family of Affordable Mass Munitions (FAMM) is a Pentagon-wide initiative that features heavily in the FY2026 budget request. Defense research reports indicate that the Department of Defense has recognized its munitions inventories are undersized and overly reliant on expensive, precision-guided weapons, such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), which costs approximately $2.6 million per unit.
To correct this imbalance, the FAMM program aims to build a virtually unlimited supply of high-performance, expendable cruise missiles. The Air Force’s target cost for these new munitions is significantly lower, estimated at roughly $218,000 to $250,000 per unit.
The FAMM-L Variant
While early concepts of the FAMM initiative focused on “palletized” munitions dropped from cargo aircraft like the C-130 or C-17, the FAMM-L designation specifically refers to the “Lugged” variant. This design incorporates standard mounting lugs, allowing the missile to be carried on the traditional weapons racks of fighter jets and bombers. According to industry reports, the Air Force quietly selected defense contractor CoAspire’s RACCM missile for the FAMM-L program in December 2025.
The urgency of this procurement strategy is widely recognized by defense analysts. Col. Mark Gunzinger (Ret.), Director of Future Concepts at the Mitchell Institute, highlighted the strategic necessity of the FAMM initiative:
“The Air Force knows its munitions inventories are woefully undersized… we’re on the wrong side of the cost-exchange ratio.”
Industrial Base Expansion and Supply-Chain
Achieving the ambitious goals of the FAMM program requires a rapid expansion of the defense industrial base. To meet production demands, the Air Force is increasingly partnering with non-traditional defense contractors and leveraging commercial Manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing.
Propulsion Breakthroughs
The supply chain is already scaling to support these new weapons. Just days prior to the Eglin test announcement, on April 9, 2026, the U.S. Air Force awarded Beehive Industries a $29.7 million contract. According to defense research data, this contract will finalize the “Frenzy” engine family, a line of 3D-printed, low-cost, expendable jet engines specifically designed to power the FAMM initiative and swarm-class Drones.
AirPro News analysis
We view the successful integration of the FAMM-L onto the F-16 as a pivotal moment for U.S. air deterrence. By transforming its most ubiquitous multi-role fighter into a high-volume launch platform for affordable cruise missiles, the Air Force is actively complicating the air defense strategies of near-peer adversaries like China and Russia. This “deterrence through volume” approach ensures that in a high-intensity conflict, U.S. forces can overwhelm enemy air defenses without exhausting their limited stockpiles of multi-million-dollar exquisite munitions. Furthermore, the reliance on 3D-printed components and non-traditional contractors signals a necessary, permanent shift in how the Pentagon approaches defense procurement and supply chain resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the FAMM-L?
The Family of Affordable Mass Munitions-Lugged (FAMM-L) is a low-cost, expendable cruise missile designed with standard mounting lugs so it can be carried and launched by traditional fighter jets like the F-16.
Why is the Air Force investing in low-cost munitions?
Recent global conflicts have demonstrated that U.S. munitions inventories are undersized and overly reliant on expensive weapons (costing upwards of $2.6 million each). Low-cost munitions (targeted at $218,000 to $250,000) allow the military to build mass and overwhelm adversary defenses affordably.
Which aircraft was used in the recent test?
The recent rapid integration and live release test was conducted using the F-16 Fighting Falcon at Eglin Air Force Base.
Sources: Team Eglin Press Release
Photo Credit: Team Eglin
Defense & Military
Embraer Signs Long-Term KC-390 Support Deal With Brazil
Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed a lifecycle support agreement for the KC-390 Millennium fleet on June 18, 2026.
Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed a comprehensive long-term logistics support agreement on June 18, 2026, designed to maximize the operational availability and mission readiness of the military’s KC-390 Millennium fleet.
Announced in a press release from the manufacturer’s São José dos Campos headquarters, the contract provides full lifecycle support for current and future KC-390 aircraft operated by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The agreement encompasses maintenance, logistical sustainment, component repair and overhaul, spare parts supply, engineering services, and technical publications. The financial value of the contract was not disclosed.
Enhancing fleet readiness for the launch customer
The Brazilian Air Force serves as the launch customer for the KC-390 program. According to Air Data News, the FAB has a total order book of 19 aircraft. The first production unit was delivered to the military branch on September 4, 2019.
Lieutenant-Brigadier Valter Malta, General Support Commander for the FAB, stated in the release that the agreement reinforces the military’s commitment to fleet availability and operational efficiency.
“Through this contract, we will provide the maintenance and logistical sustainment required to support the KC-390 Millennium, which is a strategic asset for the country’s mobility, defense, and rapid response capabilities,” Malta said.
Carlos Naufel, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, noted the contract extends a decades-long relationship between the manufacturer and the FAB. Naufel stated the goal is to support the military’s ability to perform at the highest standards using world-class solutions.
Production ramp-up and international momentum
The support agreement coincides with a broader push by Embraer to increase production of the KC-390 Millennium to meet growing international demand. Breaking Defense reported that Embraer executives briefed reporters on June 10, 2026, outlining plans to build six aircraft in 2026 and reach an annual production rate of 10 aircraft by the end of the decade.
Marcio Monteiro, Chief Marketing Officer of Embraer’s defense division, told Breaking Defense that the company is in “ramping up mode” to meet current commitments and anticipate future orders. Embraer estimates a total addressable market of 450 aircraft for the KC-390 over the next two decades.
International interest in the platform has accelerated in recent months. Air Data News reported that Greece formally submitted a defense procurement package to its parliament in June 2026 for three KC-390s. Embraer is also preparing to deliver the first aircraft to the Czech Air Force in the coming weeks, with a second scheduled for 2027. Additional deliveries are slated for Uzbekistan and South Korea in 2026.
AirPro News analysis
Securing a comprehensive, long-term sustainment contract with the launch customer is a critical step for Embraer as it markets the KC-390 Millennium globally. Prospective international buyers closely monitor the operational availability and logistical support network of the home country’s fleet when evaluating military aircraft transport acquisitions. By formalizing this lifecycle support structure with the Brazilian Air-Forces, we view Embraer as establishing a baseline sustainment model that can be pitched to European and Asian air forces currently evaluating alternatives to legacy tactical airlifters.
Sources: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer
Defense & Military
Shield AI Wins U.S. Air Force CCA Autonomy Contract
The U.S. Air Force awarded Shield AI a production contract to integrate Hivemind software into its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
On June 17, 2026, the U.S. Air-Forces awarded defense technology company Shield AI a production contract to integrate its Hivemind mission autonomy software into the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The award advances the military branch’s strategy to decouple software development from airframe manufacturing, enabling rapid capability updates across multiple uncrewed platforms.
In a press release issued on June 17, 2026, Shield AI confirmed the contract will utilize the government-owned Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA). This framework allows the Air Force to evaluate and integrate mission autonomy as a standalone capability, preserving vendor competition and reducing the integration risks traditionally associated with tied hardware and software procurement.
Advancing the Collaborative Combat Aircraft fleet
The CCA program is a core component of the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. These uncrewed aircraft are designed to fly alongside fifth- and sixth-generation fighter jets, augmenting the crewed fleet with additional offensive strike and intelligence-gathering capabilities.
According to reporting by DefenseScoop, the Air Force plans to field a minimum of 150 CCA systems by the end of the decade. The Increment 1 airframe production Contracts were awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril Industries four months ahead of schedule.
Software-first approach to mission autonomy
Alongside the airframe awards, the Air Force issued mission autonomy Software production options to Shield AI, Anduril, and Collins Aerospace. The military branch has been integrating and testing mission autonomy packages on CCA prototypes since February 12, 2026.
“Mission autonomy is a foundational capability for future airpower. The Air Force’s approach enables faster innovation, rapid capability deployment, and greater operational advantage for the warfighter,” said Christian Gutierrez, Senior Vice President of Hivemind at Shield AI.
Col. Timothy Helfrich, Program Acquisition Executive for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, described the program as the next evolution of air power. Speaking to DefenseScoop, he noted that the CCA initiative represents the military’s first instance of taking human-machine teaming into the aviation world to such an extent and driving it operationally.
Future milestones and vendor selection
The Air Force is expected to select a primary mission autonomy software provider for CCA Increment 1 in 2027. This decision will follow extensive evaluation of the software packages provided by the competing vendors.
The A-GRA architecture ensures that whichever software is selected can be integrated into the YFQ-42A built by General Atomics and the YFQ-44A built by Anduril without requiring structural modifications to the aircraft.
AirPro News analysis
We view the Air Force’s strict adherence to the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture as a fundamental shift in defense aviation procurement. By forcing a hard boundary between the physical aircraft and the cognitive software that flies it, the military is actively avoiding the vendor lock-in that has historically plagued major acquisition programs. The decision to award software production options to three distinct companies, including traditional defense contractors like Collins Aerospace alongside newer entrants like Shield AI and Anduril, indicates a deliberate strategy to maintain competitive pressure through the 2027 down-select. If successful, this decoupled procurement model could become the standard for future uncrewed aviation programs.
Sources: Shield AI
Photo Credit: Shield AI
Defense & Military
Daher Expands Rafale Aerostructure Role for Dassault Aviation
Daher takes on Rafale canards, vertical tail plane, and forward fuselage assembly as Dassault targets four aircraft per month by 2028-29.
Daher Group has expanded its manufacturing responsibilities within the Dassault Rafale fighter program, taking on the production of critical composite and metallic aerostructures to support Dassault Aviation as it accelerates aircraft output.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, during the Eurosatory defense and security show in Paris, Daher detailed its growing portfolio of flight safety-critical components for the multirole fighter. The strategic industrial transfer is designed to alleviate production bottlenecks as Dassault works through a backlog of more than 220 aircraft for French and export customers.
Strategic industrial transfers support production targets
Dassault Aviation is currently executing a significant production ramp-up. According to recent reporting by Aviation Week, the manufacturer plans to deliver 28 Rafale aircraft in 2026, an increase from 26 deliveries in 2025. The company ultimately targets a production rate of four aircraft per month by 2028 or 2029.
To facilitate this volume, Dassault transferred the manufacturing of the Rafale’s canards and vertical tail plane from its own facility in Biarritz, France, to Daher.
“Daher’s work on the Rafale demonstrates our ability to industrialize and assemble critical components in highly demanding environments, while supporting the program’s production ramp-up,” said Alain-Jory Barthe, CEO of Daher Industry. “Our adherence to delivery schedules and the quality of our production are recognized by Dassault Aviation, with whom we’ve built a long-term relationship of trust based on a shared industrial DNA as family-owned companies.”
Critical aerostructure manufacturing and assembly
Daher’s expanded work package encompasses both composite manufacturing and complex metallic assembly. The company confirmed that the thermoset composite canards have already passed their qualification milestones. The vertical tail plane is currently entering its final validation phase.
In addition to the flight control surfaces, Daher is responsible for assembling the C1-C7 forward fuselage section. Located immediately aft of the nose, this section incorporates the structural support for the aircraft’s in-flight refueling probe. The assembly process involves integrating approximately 800 elementary parts, which are primarily metallic and sheet metal components.
The Tier 1 supplier also produces equipped T34 panels and the radio access hatch specifically designed for the two-seat variant of the Rafale.
AirPro News analysis
We view Dassault’s delegation of major structural assemblies to Daher as a textbook supply chain optimization strategy for an original equipment manufacturer facing a steep production curve. By offloading the canards and vertical tail plane, Dassault frees up floor space and specialized labor at its Biarritz plant for other critical path items. Daher is well-positioned to absorb this work. With 14,500 employees globally and reported 2025 revenues of €1.9 billion, the company has the industrial scale required to meet defense-standard quality requirements while maintaining the strict delivery schedules necessary for Dassault to reach a rate of four aircraft per month.
Sources: Daher
Photo Credit: Daher
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