These munitions leverage key design features including a modular airframe and a common Weapon Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) to enable rapid integration, upgrades and mission adaptability.
The United States is set to receive an initial 3,000 Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM). Leidos will deliver this through a framework agreement with the Department of War that advances “Arsenal of Freedom” initiative.
The Virginia-based company’s new Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM) is expected to significantly enhance the country’s ground-launched combat capability. This can also help deliver decisive capabilities to the U.S. military.
Low-Cost Containerized Munitions offers increased mission effectiveness
“Today’s announcement is the latest sign that our Acquisition Transformation Strategy is delivering on its promise to rebuild the Arsenal of Freedom,” said Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment.
“We are moving beyond the traditional prime contractors to expand our industrial base, accelerating testing timelines, and sending a clear, long-term demand signal to innovative new entrants.”
Leidos will expand its workforce and enhance its facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and McEwen, Tennessee, to produce the LCCM. Consistent with the DoW’s desire to utilize commercial products, development of Leidos’ LCCM is company-funded, leveraging the technologies in its AGM-190A Small Cruise Missile (SCM) program, according to a press release.
The company revealed that the LCCM offers increased mission effectiveness and fuel capacity to maximize range. Building on the Leidos Small Cruise Missile’s heritage, the LCCM leverages key design features including a modular airframe and a common Weapon Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) to enable rapid integration, upgrades and mission adaptability. The design also utilizes Leidos’ established supply chain and scalable production approach.
Low-Cost Containerized Munitions’ design could support maritime platform
“We’re answering the Department of War’s call to revolutionize the procurement of critical capabilities at scale, with a focus on speed to operational capability,” said Leidos Chief Executive Officer Tom Bell.
“This agreement reflects the department’s appreciation of Leidos’ defense tech prowess and their trust in our proven history in delivering advanced missile technologies.”
While initially ground-launched, LCCM’s modular design could also support maritime platform integration and air-launched variants. Leidos’ decision to fund development and expand its production capabilities reflects its commitment to advancing operational capabilities through its NorthStar 2030 strategy, as per the release.
Additionally, the Department of War has also signed agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 for the Low-Cost Containerized Missles (LCCM) program, while a parallel agreement with Castelion advances an initiative to scale low-cost hypersonic solutions. These agreements will rapidly field effective and affordable kinetic mass for the Joint Force at scale, acting directly on the mandate from President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to strengthen America’s military with an unequivocally lethal Arsenal of Freedom.
The Department of War revealed that the new frameworks for LCCM will drive a fast-paced experimentation and assessment campaign that will culminate in a Military Utility Assessment by the sponsoring Service Components. Designed to move at the speed of commercial industry, the agreements establish the terms for future firm-fixed-price production contracts.
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Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.