New ERAM Weapon Signals Bold Leap in U.S. Military Firepower

Staff Reports
February 1, 2026
10:20 am
Aviation, Eglin Air Force Base, Military

In Brief:

👤 Who: U.S. Air Force, 96th Test Wing, AFLCMC Armament Directorate, Brig. Gen. Robert Lyons III, Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro
🚀 What: Successful live-warhead test of the Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM)
📅 When: January 21, 2025
📌 Where: Eglin Test and Training Range, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
🎯 Why: To validate a fast-produced, cost-effective long-range strike weapon that strengthens U.S. deterrence and combat readiness

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The U.S. Air Force marked a major leap forward in long-range strike capability after successfully conducting a live-warhead test of its new Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) on the Eglin Test and Training Range on Jan. 21, 2025 — just 16 months after the program’s initial contract award.

The milestone test achieved all primary objectives, including a full warhead detonation, providing critical performance data and validating the missile’s operational potential. Officials say the accelerated timeline highlights the Department of the Air Force’s push to rapidly deliver combat-ready technology to the warfighter.

ERAM is a next-generation, air-launched standoff cruise missile designed to provide affordable mass in contested environments. Built to strike high-value fixed targets from long range, the system is engineered for rapid production at scale — a key factor in strengthening U.S. deterrence and maintaining battlefield advantage.

“Moving from a contract to a live-fire demonstration in under two years proves we can deliver lethal, cost-effective capability at the speed of relevance,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Lyons III, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Weapons. “This is how we rebuild our military — by empowering our teams and industry partners to cut through bureaucracy and deliver the tools our warfighters need to prevail.”

The complex test effort brought together experts from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Armament Directorate, the 96th Test Wing, and multiple industry partners. Engineers and test conductors operating from Eglin’s Central Control Facility planned the mission and analyzed performance data, leveraging the range’s advanced capabilities to execute the live-fire event.

According to Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, commander of the 96th Test Wing, ERAM, represents a critical step toward future force readiness.

“The future fight demands we create an asymmetric advantage by developing cost-effective, attritable systems like ERAM that give commanders the ability to generate mass,” Massaro said. “This test is a critical milestone on that path and ensures this weapon is proven, reliable, and ready for the right mission at the right time.”

Officials say the successful demonstration positions ERAM as a cornerstone capability in the Air Force’s evolving weapons portfolio, reinforcing a strategy focused on speed, scale, and survivability in high-end conflict scenarios.