The US Air Force, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), has launched a new program called ARAM (Advanced Research for Air-delivered Munitions). Under this program, the agency is seeking companies to develop next-generation air-delivered munitions. At this stage, this is not a full-fledged contract, but rather a request for information from industry to determine what technologies and solutions manufacturers are potentially capable of offering.

The program is overseen by the Ordnance Directorate at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the center historically responsible for the development of many modern American precision-guided munitions, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Project details are being kept under wraps, but it emphasizes several key areas: hypersonic technologies, modular and scalable unmanned systems, affordable mass-produced solutions, and advanced target engagement concepts. Priority is given to long-range and compact precision-guided munitions.

A key feature of ARAM is that future munitions must meet strict size constraints: the F-35 carries weapons only in internal bays, and the upcoming B-21 Raider bomber also requires compact weapons. At the same time, missiles and bombs must combine small size, long range, and high endurance.

The US Air Force is relying not only on traditional giants like Lockheed Martin or Raytheon, but also on smaller tech companies. In recent years, startups have made significant advances in electronics, guidance systems, artificial intelligence, and new materials. By attracting non-traditional contractors, the Americans are attempting to accelerate the weapons development cycle.