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Cheap, Fast, Deadly—US Tests Rusty Dagger Cruise Missile for Ukraine From F-16
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
The US Air Force has successfully tested a low-cost cruise missile designed with Ukraine in mind, marking a key step toward deploying scalable precision strike capabilities, according to reporting by The Aviationist on April 18.
The missile, known as Rusty Dagger, was dropped from an F-16 during a series of integration trials that focused on compatibility, loading procedures, and safe separation from the aircraft.
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According to an official release from Eglin Air Force Base, the testing campaign concluded with the successful carriage and release of the missile from an F-16D Block 50.
While the official statement did not directly mention Rusty Dagger, its developer, Zone 5, or the ERAM program under which it was created, the system appeared under a newer designation—Family of Affordable Mass Munitions-Lugged (FAMM-L).
However, markings visible on the test munition included “ERAM” and a serial number beginning with “RD,” widely interpreted as a reference to Rusty Dagger.
👀🇺🇸 New images have emerged from U.S. Air Force tests of the FAMM-L (AGM-188A “Rusty Dagger”) small cruise missile, launched from an F-16D over the Gulf of Mexico.
— NSTRIKE (@NSTRIKE1231) April 18, 2026
🔹 The test marks a major shift in tactical aviation capabilities, as the U.S. moves closer to integrating a… pic.twitter.com/09YNazV0hw
Zone 5 later amplified the announcement, stating it was proud to support the rapid integration of the system onto the F-16, adding that the project aims to deliver “affordable mass” through scalable precision strike capabilities.
The March test flight involved an F-16D Block 50 operated by Team Eglin and equipped with two Rusty Dagger missiles, along with training variants of AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, as well as an AN/AAQ-28 Litening targeting pod.
The ERAM program was launched to provide Ukraine with large numbers of low-cost, electronically resilient cruise missiles capable of striking targets at extended ranges. The goal is to enable sustained use of affordable air-launched weapons at a fraction of the cost of traditional cruise missiles.
Development has moved at an unusually fast pace. The US Air Force first requested proposals for such a weapon in June 2024, and within just 14 months—from initial concept in July 2024 to prototype production in September 2025—the program had already reached the testing phase.
Under the program’s requirements, the missile is based on a 500-pound-class bomb, with a minimum range of 400 kilometers and a top speed of at least Mach 0.6.
Rusty Dagger is one of two designs selected under ERAM. The second is the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile developed by CoAspire, which was previously tested from an A-4 Skyhawk in August 2025.
The effort reflects a broader shift toward mass-produced, cost-effective strike systems designed to sustain long-term operations while maintaining precision and operational flexibility.
The US military designated AGM-188A Rusty Dagger on February 5. This 500-pound missile can fly over 580 miles using a small jet engine.
It was built specifically for Ukraine to provide a long-range weapon that is easier to produce in large numbers than older, more expensive models, according to the project’s technical details.
