L3Harris introduces "less expensive" long-range missiles for Pacific deterrence

L3Harris Technologies has unveiled two new missiles that aim to provide less expensive long-range strike options for the US military as it restocks its supplies while looking for arms to deter China's ambitions in the Pacific.

The "Red Wolf" and "Green Wolf" missile launch comes as the concept of "affordable mass" has gained prominence due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, which have underscored the need for plentiful, cost-effective weapons. This strategy focuses on having a large number of relatively inexpensive munitions ready for deployment, ensuring military readiness and adaptability.

These multi-role missiles with a range of more than 200 nautical miles (370.4 kilometres) can hit moving targets like ships, such as in the Pacific Ocean where range is important. Lockheed Martin and RTX currently dominate the space in the US market.

The most basic version of L3's new missile would cost in the $300,000-range once production has reached full rate, L3 executives told Reuters in an interview.

Currently, the low-rate initial production run is being generated in Ashburn, Virginia, with the customers like the Pentagon eyeing buying about 1,000 per year, L3 executives said.

The Red Wolf is a traditional missile focused on long-range precision strikes, while the Green Wolf specializes in electronic warfare, equipped with capabilities for electronic attack and intelligence gathering.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)