Rusty Dagger Missile, Developed for Ukraine, Has Been Adapted for Ground-Based Launch

The compact Rusty Dagger cruise missile, developed for Ukraine, has been adapted in its new Block 40 version for launch from a ground-based launcher.

This was reported by The War Zone, which received the first photos of the missile’s launches in its new configuration from Zone 5 Technologies.

The company did not disclose where or when the photos were taken, nor under which specific programs the ground-based launches were conducted. At the same time, a company representative emphasized that versions of the Rusty Dagger have already been selected for separate programs of the U.S. Army and Navy, in addition to the initial development under the Air Force program.

In August 2026, the U.S. Navy awarded two contracts under the CHAOS program. At that time, it was reported that the project had likely ordered RAACM-ER cruise missiles from CoAspire and Rusty Dagger missiles from Zone 5 Technologies.

The CHAOS program aims to create low-cost and scalable weapons systems. The new missiles are intended to address the shortage of anti-ship weapons and replace obsolete models.

The Rusty Dagger missile was originally developed specifically for Ukraine as part of the ERAM program for launch from airborne platforms as an asymmetric response to the shortage of expensive weapons.

In late August 2025, the U.S. State Department officially approved the potential sale of up to 3,350 ERAM missiles to Ukraine, along with related equipment and services, at an estimated cost of $825 million. Funding for the purchase was expected to come from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the U.S. Foreign Military Financing program. According to previously released data, the delivery of a batch of 840 missiles was scheduled for October 2026.

According to Zone 5, the Rusty Dagger Block 40 variant can carry warheads weighing approximately 45–113 kilograms. It also retains the capability for air-launch—both from underwing pylons on aircraft and from pallet-based munition delivery systems. For launches from ground- or sea-based platforms, a solid-fuel booster is installed in the missile’s tail section.

It was previously reported that the range of the air-launched Rusty Dagger is approximately 556 km when launched from a low altitude and approximately 926 km when launched from an aircraft at medium altitude and at higher speeds.

At the same time, ground- and sea-based versions of missiles typically have a shorter maximum range than their air-launched counterparts. The range of the Block 40 ground-based configuration has not yet been disclosed.

The company has already established production at a facility in San Luis Obispo, California, and is launching production in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, Texas. Another facility is being developed under a franchise model in Mayamisburg, Ohio, in partnership with Hawthorn Aero.

According to Zone 5’s plans, by the end of 2027, each of the three sites is expected to reach a production capacity of over 2,500 missiles per year.