In a significant shift toward interoperability and modular design, the US Army is pursuing a new generation of common launchers capable of firing a variety of munitions from allied nations. The goal: create a system that’s modular, optionally crewed, and universally compatible with different allied weapons, enabling more seamless joint operations in future warfare.
A New Vision for Long-Range Fires and Air Defense
Speaking at the LANDEURO Conference in Germany, Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa, revealed that one of the Army’s key priorities is developing a universal launcher system. This platform would be able to launch both defensive and offensive munitions, adapting to various combat scenarios across different theaters.
“We want to develop a common launcher that is both offensive and defensive capable,” Donahue stated. “It should be interoperable with any ally or partner who operates with us.”
Currently, many allied nations operate incompatible weapons platforms due to differing fire control systems. The new vision emphasizes a unified fire control architecture, allowing allied forces to share and use each other’s munitions on the same platform dramatically enhancing battlefield flexibility.
Optionally Crewed, Highly Modular Warfare Systems
A key feature of the envisioned system is that it would be optionally manned. In other words, it could be operated either by human personnel or remotely, reflecting the broader shift across the US military toward uncrewed and autonomous platforms.
This approach not only improves operational flexibility but also minimizes the risk to human lives. In high-risk environments, uncrewed systems can undertake dangerous missions, such as forward reconnaissance or missile interception, without endangering troops.
Modularity is also a top priority. The Army wants systems that can be reconfigured with different hardware, software, and payloads based on the mission type, geographic environment, enemy threats, or even the needs of individual units.
Responding to Modern Threats Through Interoperability
Donahue emphasized that interoperability is one of the leading concerns raised by America’s NATO and allied partners. Having a launcher system that accepts munitions from multiple countries would not only simplify logistics but also make coalition warfare significantly more effective.
Moreover, cost-effectiveness is a crucial design consideration. “As a general rule, whatever weapon system or munition you use against an adversary’s capability,” Donahue noted, “it should be cheaper than the threat you're shooting down.”
This principle is becoming especially important as air and missile threats grow more sophisticated, and the need for layered, scalable defenses increases.
Transforming for the Conflicts of Tomorrow
The pursuit of a universal launcher aligns with the broader Army Transformation Initiative a comprehensive effort to modernize the force, overhaul vehicle formations, invest in drone warfare, and phase out outdated programs. This initiative, estimated to cost $36 billion over the next five years, is the largest structural and technological update to the Army since the end of the Cold War.
Long-range fires are a critical piece of this transformation. In a directive issued earlier this year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Army to field new missile systems by 2027 capable of striking moving land and maritime targets. Systems that may fulfill this requirement include:
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Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)
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Typhon Mid-Range Capability system
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Long-Range Hypersonic Weapons (LRHW)
These platforms are expected to give the Army far-reaching strike capabilities, enhancing both deterrence and offensive response in complex future theaters.
Lessons from Ukraine and Beyond
The urgency behind these developments is influenced in part by recent global conflicts, especially the war in Ukraine. The widespread use of long-range fires, drones, and electronic warfare has demonstrated how future conflicts will be fought with speed, precision, and a heavy reliance on integrated systems.
In a separate interview, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Gen. James Rainey, who leads Army Futures Command, stressed that air and missile defense remains one of the most critical and in-demand capabilities in today’s battlefield. The Patriot missile defense system, for example, has played a vital role in recent operations, particularly in the Middle East amid rising threats from Iranian missiles and drones.
Driscoll noted that Patriot battalions will receive increased funding and recruitment, further underscoring the importance of integrated, multi-domain air defenses.
The US Army's push for a common, modular, and optionally crewed launcher marks a fundamental shift in how modern militaries are preparing for future wars. By focusing on interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and long-range capabilities, the Army aims to ensure that it and its allies are ready to face evolving threats together. As global tensions rise and the battlefield becomes increasingly high-tech, systems like these may become the backbone of 21st-century warfare.
