Zone 5 Technologies AGM-188 Rusty Dagger
The Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile is Zone 5's entry in the USAF/DIU ETV (Enterprise Test Vehicle) program (see page about Anduril AGM-189 for more information on ETV). In March 2025, Zone 5 was selected, together with Anduril, to proceed with Phase 2 of that program, which by that time had shifted its main focus towards development of a low-cost mass-producable air-launched cruise missile. In September that year, the USAF assigned the designation AGM-188A to Rusty Dagger.
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| Photo: Zone 5 |
| Rusty Dagger (AGM-188A) |
In parallel to ETV, the Rusty Dagger design was also offered as a response to the USAF's ERAM (Extended-Range Attack Munition) requirement. In early 2024, the Air Force had issued an RFI (Request for Information) for a low-cost quick-to-produce air-to-ground precision munition with the following characteristics:
- 225 kg (500 lb) class total weight
- Multi-purpose warhead
- Range at least 460 km (250 nm)
- Speed at least Mach 0.6
- Accuracy of 10 m CEP or better in GPS-degraded environments
- Capability to deliver at least 1000 all-up-rounds no later than 24 months after contract award
In July 2024, the Air Force revealed that the primary purpose of ERAM was to provide an affordable aid to Ukraine. One year later, in August 2025, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that an FMS (Foreign Military Sale) of up to 3350 ERAM rounds to Ukraine has been approved. The sale includes two different ERAM designs - Rusty Dagger and the CoAspire RAACM (Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile).
Even though it's being procured for two different programs (ETV and ERAM), solid public information about the AGM-188A Rusty Dagger missile itself is scarce. It is in the 225 kg (500 lb) weight class and is powered by a single PBS Aerospace TJ80 turbojet. Because of the ETV requirements, the missile can presumably be air-dropped from rails on fighters and "pallets" on cargo planes. A ground-launch option probably exists as well. The air-launched range is claimed to be more than 930 km (500 nm) at "high subsonic" speed. In addition to its GPS/Inertial navigation system, Rusty Dagger reportedly has an option for autonomous visual navigation.
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for AGM-188A:
| Length | ? |
| Wingspan | ? |
| Weight | ca. 225 kg (500 lb) |
| Speed | high subsonic |
| Range | > 930 km (500 nm) |
| Propulsion | 1 PBS TJ80 turbojet |
| Warhead | ? |
Main Sources
[1] SAM.gov: Extended Range Attack Munition, February 2024
[2] The Defense Post, Inder Singh Bisht: US Seeks
New Air-Launched Standoff Munition for Ukraine, July 2024
[3] DSCA Press Release: Ukraine –
Air Delivered Munitions, 28 August 2025
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Last Updated: 1 February 2026