US Navy taps L3Harris’ Red Wolf for precision attack strike munition program

February 2, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

L3Harris Technologies has been selected by the US Naval Air Systems Command to develop, test, and manufacture Red Wolf vehicles for the US Marine Corps’ Precision Attack Strike Munition program.

Red Wolf extends the reach of weapons launched from vertical take‑off and landing platforms to distances of up to 200 nautical miles, far surpassing the single‑digit range of other rocket‑launched missiles.

With beyond line‑of‑sight communications and autonomous over‑the‑horizon engagement capability, the system significantly expands the pool of aircraft able to conduct precision strike missions.

The US Navy’s decision builds on extensive testing of the platform, including 52 launched‑effects vehicle flights and a recent low‑altitude test firing from a US Marine Corps AH‑1Z helicopter, further validating the system’s operational maturity.

According to L3Harris Chairman and CEO Christopher Kubasik, recent conflicts and incursions over NATO airspace, marked by the widespread use of mass‑produced drones, underscore the growing demand for affordable, scalable strike options. He noted that Red Wolf is designed to deliver “cost‑effective mass to the Marine Corps’ advanced munitions inventory within timelines set by US defense leaders to maintain battlefield overmatch”.

L3Harris previously fielded Red Wolf through the Long‑Range Advanced Missile program under the Defense Innovation Acceleration initiative, using operational demonstrations to address urgent military requirements and validate performance in realistic conditions.