Marine Corps selects L3Harris to build new Precision Attack Strike Munition

WASHINGTON — The US Marine Corps has selected L3Harris as the winner of its Precision Attack Strike Munition (PASM) program, providing a new weapon for use on the AH-1Z helicopter.

The contract, worth $86.2 million, will cover delivery of an unspecified number of L3Harris’ “Red Wolf” weapon by end of fiscal 2027. The Friday announcement came from Naval Air Systems Command.

“Our proven Red Wolf system can bring affordable mass to the Marine’s arsenal of advanced munitions within the timeline US officials have outlined to support the most lethal fighting force in the world,” said Christopher Kubasik, chairman and CEO of L3Harris, in a statement. An L3Harris spokesperson told Breaking Defense its selection was a “competitive selection” and not a sole-source award.

PASM is expected to provide a “cost-effective, longer-range, precision weapon that can deliver diverse effects (kinetic or non—kinetic) from AH-1Z aircraft in land and sea-based environments” for the Marine Corps, according to NavAir.

“We are proud to partner with L3Harris Technologies to deliver a system that will provide a decisive advantage to Marine Corps pilots and support their missions worldwide,” said Rear Adm. Tony Rossi, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.

The Navy first listed a solicit for the program last February. Subsequently, L3Harris revealed revealed its Wolf Pack program last summer after 10 years of development; at the time, the company said it was specifically marketing the weapon for this program.

The award comes against the backdrop of a major focus for the Marines on operations in the Indo-Pacific, where longer-range weapons will be needed for its aviation assets. The company claims a 200 nautical mile range for the Red Wolf.