U.S. Army seeks new autonomous missile launcher

The United States Army has released a set of new Requests for Information aimed at advancing the Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher, or CAML, a next-generation autonomous fires platform intended to reshape how the service moves, loads, and employs missile systems across future battlefields.

The notices, issued through the PAE Fires CAML Product Office, outline three core areas where the Army is seeking industry input: an autonomous mobility platform, a munitions pallet, and a weapon-system integrator.

The Army describes CAML as an autonomous or optionally crewed, highly mobile, air-transportable launcher able to support multi-domain fires. As outlined in the Weapon System Integrator document, CAML is intended to “augment or replace existing Army launchers” while reducing emplacement times, improving crew survivability, and enabling autonomous convoy operations.

The Autonomous Mobility Platform RFI asks companies to outline their capacity to design, build, test, and deliver an uncrewed mobility vehicle, a convoy leader vehicle, and an autonomy command-and-control system within 12–18 months. The Army notes that solutions “are not required to be standard Army-inventory vehicles,” and adds that commercial platforms are encouraged.

The platform must support three modes: autonomous convoy following, waypoint navigation, and optionally piloted manual control. It must also be capable of autonomously loading and unloading heavy palletized payloads, supporting at least 40,000 to 60,000 pounds without trailers, generating 120 kW of onboard electrical power, and meeting strict size limits for transport and mobility.

Companies may also present concepts for a live field demonstration in fiscal year 2026 to show autonomous movement and reloading using weighted payloads.

A second notice focuses on the CAML munitions pallet—an electrically erected launcher structure capable of supporting various missiles or non-traditional payload concepts. The Army states that the pallet must remain compatible with the mobility platform developed under a separate effort and be capable of simulated firing during the FY26 field demonstration window. Non-traditional approaches and commercially derived solutions are “highly encouraged.”

The pallet must weigh no more than 60,000 pounds and allow remote command-and-control launch operations while drawing power from an integrated mobile power system. Environmental conditioning requirements and electronics integration are also part of the scope.

The third notice seeks a Weapon System Integrator that can combine all sub-systems—mobility platform, munitions pallet, convoy leader vehicle, and autonomy C2—into a complete functioning system. The integrator must complete system-level assembly and testing within 18 months of contract award.

The Army highlights the need for system-level engineering, interface management, high-level architecture development, test and evaluation, and five years of logistics and sustainment planning. Companies must describe their experience with rapid prototyping, missile or vehicle integration, and work with both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors.

All three RFIs request capability statements from U.S. companies by December 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. Responses must be sent to Agreements Officer Josh Flinn and Agreements Specialist Abbie Chatelain. Each notice also calls for industry participation in an in-person CAML Industry Day tentatively scheduled for January 21–22, 2026, at Redstone Arsenal.

The CAML program represents the Army’s broader move toward autonomous fires, distributed launchers, and reduced crew exposure. Autonomous systems like CAML are part of a shift toward future formations that rely on smaller crews, dispersed launch sites, and automated logistics—factors that directly affect how U.S. forces deter and respond to emerging threats.