Anduril unveils Steelfin interceptor aiming for about a third of PAC-3 MSE cost

What's new? Anduril has unveiled Steelfin, a modular interceptor the company aims to price at about a third of the Patriot PAC-3 MSE, Breaking Defense reports.

Why it matters: President and chief strategy officer Chris Brose said militaries are struggling with legacy interceptors that are not scalable against one-way attack drones, ballistic and cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons. Steelfin is designed to fly with different rocket motors and seekers and to launch from platforms including PAC-3, CAML, Typhoon and containerised canisters, and to be reconfigured for threats from low-cost systems such as Shaheds through to ballistic, cruise and hypersonic weapons.

Programme path: Anduril is pursuing the US Army’s low-cost interceptor effort after the xTech Apex Intercept competition. Executives also said Steelfin fits the size requirements discussed for the Army’s Future Interceptor programme aimed at a next-generation PAC-3 MSE-class weapon for Patriot and CAML launchers.

Production: Full-rate production is targeted for late 2028 or early 2029, with volumes ranging from multiple thousands to potentially hundreds of thousands a year depending on demand. Most sub-assemblies would be built at Arsenal-1 in Ohio, with final integration alongside partners.

Source: Breaking Defense