The AGM-188A Rusty Dagger is Zone 5 Technologies' low-cost air-launched cruise missile design associated with the U.S. Extended Range Attack Munition and affordable-mass munition efforts, publicly documented through Eglin F-16 integration and live-warhead ERAM testing, Kongsberg acquisition releases, and the 2025 U.S. approval of an ERAM package for Ukraine.
DSCA approved a possible Ukraine purchase of up to 3,350 ERAM missiles in August 2025 and named Zone 5 Technologies as a principal contractor; Janes reported that Zone 5's ERAM offering is based on Rusty Dagger, while public battlefield debris claims remain less certain than the procurement and operator context.
Role detailsRusty Dagger sits in a fast-moving U.S. affordable-mass munition lane, so public names can overlap. The same Zone 5 design is discussed around ETV, FAMM or FAMM-L, and ERAM, while RAACM ERAM is CoAspire's separate ERAM-family design.
Designation Systems records Rusty Dagger as AGM-188A and ties it to Zone 5's ETV and ERAM work.
The conflict row covers an approved possible ERAM sale and contractor-variant context for Ukraine, not confirmed Ukrainian combat firing.
Official Air Force releases document ERAM live-warhead and F-16 FAMM-L tests; specialist reporting identifies the visible missile as Rusty Dagger.
Public records treat Rusty Dagger as Zone 5's design within overlapping affordable-mass munition efforts rather than as a mature family with fully disclosed variants.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| FAMM-L / ERAM test article | F-16-carried affordable-mass munition configuration | Eglin and Air & Space Forces reporting describe a Family of Affordable Mass Munitions-Lugged weapon integrated on the F-16, with markings and Zone 5 statements tying the test article to Rusty Dagger/ERAM. Sources: Eglin F-16 FAMM-L Test, Air & Space Forces Rusty Dagger F-16 |
Public integration evidence currently centers on U.S. Air Force F-16 test work rather than a disclosed operational Ukrainian carrier fit.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Fighter aircraft | Eglin reported March 2026 fit, loading, flight-compatibility, carriage, and release testing of the FAMM-L weapon from an F-16; Air & Space Forces identified the weapon as Rusty Dagger ERAM from released imagery and Zone 5's test statement. Sources: Eglin F-16 FAMM-L Test, Air & Space Forces Rusty Dagger F-16 |
Public ERAM requirement reporting described a low-cost, quick-to-produce air-to-ground precision munition in the 500-pound class with long range, GPS-degraded accuracy, and a production scale-up target.
Sources: Designation Systems AGM-188, Air & Space Forces Rusty Dagger F-16
Breaking Defense reported that Zone 5 said Rusty Dagger had completed palletized launch, pylon launch, long-duration mission, and high-accuracy terminal-engagement demonstrations for the Enterprise Test Vehicle effort.
Sources: Breaking Defense ETV Rusty Dagger
DSCA notified Congress of a possible Ukraine purchase of up to 3,350 ERAM missiles and related equipment, naming Zone 5 Technologies and CoAspire as principal contractors; Janes later reported that the two companies' variants would make up the possible ERAM total.
Sources: DSCA Ukraine Air Delivered Munitions, Janes ERAM FMS Variants
Kongsberg announced an agreement to acquire 90 percent of Zone 5 and described Rusty Dagger as a low-cost versatile strike missile with flexible launch options and successful tests.
Sources: Kongsberg Zone 5 Acquisition
The U.S. Air Force reported a live-warhead ERAM test at Eglin that met primary objectives and matured a cost-effective long-range strike capability; specialist reporting identified the tested missile as Rusty Dagger.
Sources: Eglin ERAM Live-Fire Test, TWZ Rusty Dagger Test
Eglin test teams conducted F-16 fit, loading, flight-compatibility, carriage, and release work for the FAMM-L weapon, with Air & Space Forces identifying the test article as Rusty Dagger ERAM.
Sources: Eglin F-16 FAMM-L Test, Air & Space Forces Rusty Dagger F-16
Kongsberg completed its acquisition of a 90 percent stake in Zone 5, stating that Zone 5 would continue as an independent subsidiary and that its programs included AGM-188 FAMM and ERAM.
Sources: Kongsberg Completes Zone 5 Acquisition
