Leidos in November successfully completed a guided flight test of their Small Cruise Missile (SCM), known as Black Arrow, from an AC-130J aircraft. The test demonstrated aircraft compatibility, system performance, waypoint uplinks, guidance accuracy as well as integration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Battle Management System (BMS).
The Black Arrow is a low cost, 200-lb class mission adaptable delivery platform designed to facilitate spiral upgrades for both kinetic and non-kinetic missions. The test was conducted as part of a Collaborative Research and Development (CRADA) agreement between Leidos, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
Since the SCM CRADA was initiated in 2022, the concept and benefits of affordable mass have become well recognized within the strike weapons community, and Black Arrow is designed to fulfil this need. Leidos is leveraging model-based system engineering practices to support the timely and cost-effective development. Use of Air Force-advocated architecture standards as well as the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Weapon Open System Architecture are key design elements.
The missile is designed to be launched in a variety of methods, including launch ejection from a C-130 (or other cargo utility aircraft) ramp via a custom Ramp Launch Tube (RLT), palletized launch and conventional store release from fixed-wing aircraft.
Leidos is now under contract with USSOCOM to continue test and evaluation activities throughout 2025.
