Mach Industries To Develop Vertical Takeoff Missile for US Army

Mach Industries, a defense manufacturing company based in California, has recently been selected by the US Army Applications Laboratory to design and produce a next-generation vertical takeoff (VTO) precision cruise missile, known as the Strategic Strike.

This missile is poised to significantly enhance the strike capabilities of maneuver units at the Company through Brigade level, enabling precise engagements of high-value targets well beyond the forward lines of troops.

A Rapidly Developed Solution

Mach Industries has made remarkable progress since receiving the contract in the third quarter of 2024.

According to its latest press release, the development timeline has been nothing short of impressive: the missile’s design was finalized by the end of September, and within just a few months, the company successfully demonstrated its vertical takeoff and full-performance wingborne flight capabilities by mid-January 2025.

California-based startup Mach Industries is developing a vertical-takeoff cruise missile demonstrator for the U.S. Army’s experimental Strategic Strike program, the company said March 4. ~ Aviation Week 🔗👇 pic.twitter.com/7MWSxDGBeP

— AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD) (@AirPowerNEW1) March 5, 2025

This swift development cycle has been made possible by Mach Industries’ innovative engineering team, who have rapidly integrated cutting-edge technologies into the missile’s design.

One of the key elements being incorporated into the Strategic Strike is artificial intelligence (AI) and radio frequency (RF) sensing techniques.

These advancements allow the missile to operate in GPS and communications-denied environments, which is increasingly critical in modern warfare where adversaries often attempt to jam or block traditional navigation and communication systems. By enabling precision strikes in such contested environments, the Strategic Strike will provide Army maneuver units with a critical edge in the fight for dominance.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The Strategic Strike is a turbojet-powered missile with a range of 290 kilometers (180 miles) and a payload capacity of over 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Its VTO capability means that it can be launched from confined spaces, making it highly versatile and easy to deploy in dynamic battlefield conditions.

The combination of VTO, high speed, and a significant payload capacity gives the missile a performance profile that is radically novel for the current fighting force.

The missile’s range and speed make it an invaluable asset for targeting high-value enemy assets such as radar arrays, artillery, and command-and-control centers, particularly in areas that are out of reach for traditional mortars, towed artillery, and short-range kinetic weapons.

The Strategic Strike is designed to strike targets well beyond the forward lines of maneuver units, significantly improving their strike range while maintaining a high level of survivability for the launch team.

The missile’s ability to launch from beyond enemy radar detection ranges is a crucial advantage. This helps mitigate the risk of detection and interception, ensuring that the launch team remains undetected and safe from counterattack.

Moreover, by extending the reach of maneuver units, the Strategic Strike allows them to engage high-payoff targets without needing to rely on the coordination of multiple services or levels of command, streamlining the process of target elimination.

The Future Role in Service

The emergence of man-portable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets has created a new challenge for military forces: maneuver units can now see targets far beyond their strike capabilities.

Traditionally, eliminating high-value targets has required the collaboration of multiple military branches and levels of command.

However, the Strategic Strike is designed to address this gap by enabling maneuver forces to engage high-value targets directly from their positions, without waiting for external support.

At its core, the Strategic Strike is designed to be a versatile, low-cost precision weapon that can deliver mission-relevant payloads across a range of battlefield scenarios. The weapon will likely prove to be an essential part of the US Army’s future combat strategy, especially when it comes to countering threats from highly mobile or well-fortified adversaries.

Its potential for mass production also makes it a cost-effective alternative to other precision-guided munitions, such as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), which can be more expensive and less flexible in certain operational contexts.

Mach Industries has already received an order for five units from the Army Applications Laboratory for proof of concept, marking the missile’s entry into the experimental phase. If the testing and further development prove successful, it is expected that Strategic Strike will be rapidly scaled for mass production.

The company’s CEO, Ethan Thornton, has expressed his excitement over the rapid development of the missile, and he envisions a future where thousands of these missiles are produced to support US military operations, acting as a deterrent and a formidable tool in modern warfare.

Conclusion

The development of the Strategic Strike missile represents a monumental leap in the US Army’s strike capabilities. By integrating VTO technology, AI-driven sensing, and a robust payload capacity, the missile provides the Army with a unique and versatile asset that can engage high-value targets at extended ranges, even in contested environments. As the missile moves from the experimental phase to full production, it promises to become a cornerstone of US military operations, revolutionizing how maneuver units engage and eliminate enemy threats.