Anduril Reveals Steelfin: Lower-Cost Alternative to Patriot Interceptors

Anduril unveiled Steelfin on Monday, a modular interceptor it aims to sell for one-third the price of the Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile, as it pursues U.S. Army demand for cheaper air and missile defenses.

The price remains a company target. Anduril expects full-rate production to begin in late 2028 or early 2029.

Chris Brose, Anduril’s president and chief strategy officer, said development began a couple of years ago in anticipation of growing demand for affordable interceptors.

“One-way attack drones, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons… our military and our allies’ militaries are struggling with a set of legacy interceptors that are not scalable,” he told reporters, according to Breaking Defense.

Modular Design

Steelfin can accommodate different rocket motors and seekers, allowing it to adapt to the target and launch platform, Brose said.

The company envisages versions for threats ranging from Iranian Shahed drones to ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons.

Proposed launch options include Patriot, the Common Autonomous Multi Domain Launcher (CAML), Typhoon, and containerized missile canisters.

“We’ve intentionally designed the Steelfin configuration with a modular mounting, so we can take in new providers as well as utilize our integrated and internal rocket motor systems,” said Steve Milano, Anduril’s senior director of missiles.

Army Competitions

Anduril is offering Steelfin for the Army’s low-cost interceptor program.

The company was among the vendors selected for further testing and demonstrations after the service’s xTech Apex Intercept competition.

A separate Army effort could also open the door.

Breaking Defense reported Friday that Lockheed Martin and an unidentified second company had been selected for the Future Interceptor program, which seeks a next-generation successor to the PAC-3 MSE.

Anduril executives would not say whether Steelfin was selected for the program.

Milano nevertheless said its design closely matched the Army’s requirements, including compatibility with existing Patriot launchers and CAML.

Production Ambitions

Milano outlined potential annual output ranging from several thousand interceptors to hundreds of thousands, depending on demand from the U.S. and foreign customers.

Anduril intends to manufacture most Steelfin subassemblies at its Arsenal-1 facility in Ohio, with a small group of partners handling final integration.

The company plans to use both internally produced solid rocket motors and motors supplied by other manufacturers.