Army asks industry to prototype mobile air-carried missile launchers able to fire medium and heavy munitions
Summary points:
- The Common Autonomous Multidomain Launcher (CAML) will fire missiles like Tomahawk, Patriot, ATACMS, and PrSM from mobile optionally crewed launchers.
- CAML-Heavy is for long-range missiles like Tomahawk and PAC-3, while CAML-Medium will integrate with MLRS munitions and includes autonomous resupply capabilities.
- 10-page solution briefs are due by the end of July to help prototype and evaluate these next-generation fire-support systems.
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – U.S. Army artillery fire-support experts are asking industry to develop prototype mobile and air-carried missile launchers able to fire munitions like the Tomahawk, Patriot, Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).
Officials of the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., issued a request for solutions brief (W50RAJ-25-CAML-RFSB) in late June for the Common Autonomous Multidomain Launcher (CAML) project.
CAML is to be an autonomous or optionally crewed, mobile, air transportable munitions launcher to augment or replace existing Army rocket and missile launchers. It should be able to deploy and operate anywhere in the world.
Two variants of CAML will be developed: a CAML Heavy (CAML-H) on a M1075 Palletized Loading System (PLS) tactical vehicle or similar 15-ton tactical vehicle; and CAML Medium (CAML-M) on a Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), integrated with the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of munitions.
Medium and heavy missiles
CAML Heavy will work with the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) or the Patriot Advanced Capabilities Three (PAC-3) missile segment enhancement (MSE) interceptor able to reload missile cannisters autonomously with minimal to no human intervention.
CAML Medium (CAML-M) will work with MLRS munitions like guided and unguided rockets and tactical missiles typically fired from the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS launchers, such as ATACMS and PrSM. It will have an Autonomous Resupply Vehicle (ARV) able to reloads missile pods and cannisters autonomously with minimal to no human intervention.
For the CAML-M, Army experts want two separate systems -- a MLRS-capable CAML-M and one autonomous resupply vehicle. For the CAML-H, the Army wants four prototype TLAM-capable launchers and one PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor for operational assessments.
CAML mission is to provide elements across all echelons with a mobile, autonomous or optionally crewed fire support that provides improved crew survivability, adds cross-country mobility, and increased effectiveness.
Prototype launchers
The CAML prototypes will include a prototype launcher, leader vehicle with autonomy kit, and an automated resupply vehicle that use interface standards to integrate new autonomous capabilities and future munitions.
Companies interested should email 10-page solutions briefs no later than 30 July 2025 to the Army's William C. McWhorter at [email protected]; Barbara Cantrell at [email protected]; and Josh Flinn at [email protected].
Email questions or concerns to the Army's Josh Flinn at [email protected] or Abbie Chatelain at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/d20744b9640d4c4aad159952750ae53e/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
