Anduril Unveils New Missiles to Counter Drones, Hypersonic Threats

Anduril Industries unveiled Steelfin, a family of interceptor missiles designed to counter threats ranging from drones to hypersonic weapons, as the defense technology company expands its push into military manufacturing.

The company plans to produce several thousand missiles annually in the near term, with flight testing expected to begin in 2027. Anduril says Steelfin could give militaries a more cost-effective way to counter a range of aerial threats while preserving high-end interceptors for more demanding engagements.

The announcement comes as Anduril ramps up investments in defense manufacturing, including a planned $3.7 billion submarine-component facility in Maryland and a Navy contract worth up to $2.9 billion.

A Modular Approach to Missile Production

Steelfin uses a two-stage design combining a booster with a terminal-stage interceptor. Different solid rocket motors can be used to adjust range and launch requirements, while the terminal stage retains common hardware, avionics, software and flight controls across variants. The approach is intended to let customers tailor missile configurations to specific missions while reducing redesign time and manufacturing complexity.

The strategy also addresses a challenge for air defense operators: using costly interceptors against cheaper threats can quickly drain inventories and budgets. A broader range of configurations could provide more options for responding to different types of attacks.

Anduril said its production model will use shared components, tooling and manufacturing lines across variants, allowing output to expand or contract with demand.

Built for Existing Defense Systems

Anduril said Steelfin is designed to work with existing launch infrastructure, including the M903A2 launcher, the Mk 41 vertical launch system and Typhon, as well as containerized launch concepts.

The company also plans to integrate the missile family with established fire-control systems, including Aegis and the Integrated Battle Command System.

Anduril said it has conducted ballistic testing using representative air vehicles and expects to begin flight testing variants next year. The company has been developing the program for years alongside multiple customers.

Manufacturing Push Extends to Submarines

Steelfin is part of a broader effort by Anduril to expand its role in defense production. Last week, the company announced a partnership with Gecko Robotics to automate inspections across its maritime manufacturing operations, including the planned Arsenal-2 facility in Baltimore County, Maryland.

Gecko’s technology combines robotics, artificial intelligence and non-destructive testing to inspect components, potentially reducing reliance on time-consuming manual processes. The company said its systems have cut inspection times for forged components by as much as 90% in work with defense customers.

Anduril plans to use Arsenal-2 to manufacture components for the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class submarines. The facility is expected to begin operating by the end of the decade, while the company is already producing submarine components at its California operation.

Together, the missile program and manufacturing investments highlight Anduril’s push to combine software, automation and scalable production as the U.S. military seeks to expand defense-industrial capacity.

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