The Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) Small Cruise Missile (SCM) — nicknamed the “Black Arrow” has been officially designated as the AGM-190A by the U.S. Air Force, recognizing the SCM’s role in addressing the Department of War’s critical need for affordable, adaptable stand-off strike capabilities. The AGM-190A is a 200-pound class mission-adaptable weapon system that, during testing from a C-130 aircraft, demonstrated a standoff range of more than 400 nautical miles. Its modular hardware design and open system software enable the AGM-190A to rapidly evolve for changing mission requirements. The AGM-190A’s mission versatility and affordability reflect Leidos’ NorthStar 2030 strategic focus on innovative, scalable solutions designed to meet evolving customer requirements.
“This capability will provide warfighters with the operational flexibility they need for today’s missions, and help them counter emerging threats in the future,” said Leidos Defense Sector President Cindy Gruensfelder. “The Air Force’s designation of the AGM-190A underscores its confidence in Leidos as a provider of proven, affordable stand-off strike solutions.”
Store separation testing from an AC-130J, conducted in December 2023, confirmed digital twin predictions of safe separation, benign store dynamics, and trajectory characteristics. Additional captive flight testing demonstrated integration with the NSWC Battle Management System (BMS), operational flight software function, navigation performance, and flight safety system functionality. In 2022, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was signed between the company and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) PEO-Fixed Wing and AFSOC. Following this agreement, the team began developing SCM, a low-cost, service-common, mission-adaptable “delivery platform” designed to facilitate future spiral upgrades for both kinetic and non-kinetic missions.
Leidos is leveraging model-based systems engineering, additive manufacturing, and AI optimization practices to support the timely and cost-effective development of the SCM, which aims to provide adaptability and utility for the warfighter. One example is a modular airframe and open system architecture that accommodates distributed manufacturing for individual subsystems, which can then be rapidly assembled and tested separately before final assembly. This approach has been utilized by the company’s SGM program, which has delivered over 4,000 units to date.
