Pentagon signs framework agreements for 10,000 low-cost containerized missiles amid Iran war depletion

The Pentagon on Wednesday announced framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos, and Zone 5 to acquire 10,000 low-cost containerized missiles under the new Low-Cost Containerized Missiles (LCCM) program, as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has heavily depleted existing missile stocks. The war is currently in a ceasefire amid deadlocked negotiations.

A separate parallel agreement with defense startup Castelion sets a minimum annual purchase of 500 Blackbeard hypersonic missiles under a two-year contract with an option to renew for up to five years. The Pentagon said it is "actively seeking authority and funding" to purchase over 12,000 Blackbeard missiles over five years, aiming to encourage Castelion’s self-funded facility expansion.

To launch the LCCM program, the Defense Department will procure test missiles from Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos, and Zone 5 beginning in June 2026, laying the groundwork for the assessment phase. The agreements establish terms for future firm-fixed-price production contracts but did not specify cost or the exact weapons systems from the four firms.

“We will deliver affordable mass for our warfighters at unprecedented speed,” said Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael. “In concert with establishing a clear demand signal, these Framework Agreements commit American industry to on-time, on-cost delivery and investment in R&D and facilities. This commercial style of partnership is fully aligned with Secretary Hegseth’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy.”

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey, the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer, said the agreements send “a clear, long-term demand signal to innovative new entrants” and show how the U.S. is moving beyond traditional prime contractors to expand the industrial base.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration seeks to refill critical munitions heavily used during the war. A Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report released last month estimated it will take up to four years to replenish missile stocks to pre-war levels due to long production times and competition from other nations, noting that pre-war inventories were already low when the conflict began.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in written testimony this week that the Pentagon’s fiscal 2027 budget would fund over $26 billion for multi-year procurement contracts for critical munitions.