Mach Industries Secures U.S. Army Contract for Strategic Strike Aircraft Development, Advancing Next-Gen Precision Warfare

Mach Industries, a cutting-edge defense manufacturer specializing in advanced aircraft, has secured a major contract from the U.S. Army Applications Laboratory. Awarded in the third quarter of 2024, this contract focuses on the development of Strategic Strike, a revolutionary vertical takeoff (VTO) cruise missile designed to bolster precision strike capabilities for Company through Brigade-level maneuver units.

Since receiving the contract, Mach Industries has made rapid advancements in the program. By the end of September 2024, the company had finalized the missile’s design, and within just a few months, by mid-January 2025, it successfully conducted vertical takeoff tests, achieving full-performance wingborne flight. These milestones mark a significant leap in precision strike technology, offering the U.S. Army an agile and highly effective combat solution.

One of the defining features of Strategic Strike is its ability to function in challenging battlefield conditions. The missile is being equipped with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) visual and radio frequency (RF) sensing capabilities, allowing it to navigate and strike targets even in GPS- and communication-denied environments. This feature significantly enhances its reliability in modern electronic warfare scenarios, where adversaries often attempt to disrupt navigation and communication systems.

With a range of 290 kilometers and a warhead exceeding 10 kilograms, Strategic Strike introduces a game-changing combination of long-range precision, speed, and vertical takeoff capability. In today’s battlefield, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems have outpaced traditional strike assets, making high-value target engagements increasingly complex. The current approach often requires coordination between multiple military branches, which can slow down decision-making and execution.

Strategic Strike seeks to bridge this gap by giving maneuver forces a direct and autonomous ability to engage high-value targets beyond the front lines. This capability reduces dependence on joint-service coordination and ensures greater operational flexibility in dynamic combat situations.

One of the core objectives of the program is stealthy engagement from beyond enemy radar detection range. By enabling long-range launches, Strategic Strike reduces the risk of exposure for launch teams and enhances mission success rates. Its role in neutralizing key enemy assets—such as radar installations and artillery systems—will provide tactical units with an unmatched advantage in high-threat environments.

Ethan Thornton, CEO and Founder of Mach Industries, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to transform modern warfare. “I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to deliver a war-changing capability to our military,” he stated. “The speed at which we’ve taken Strategic Strike from concept to flight in just 14 weeks is a testament to our engineering and manufacturing teams. We are eager to see this program move from prototyping to full-scale production.”

Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Mach Industries is backed by leading venture firms such as Sequoia Capital and Bedrock Capital. With a commitment to developing innovative and lethal systems that deter conflict and strengthen global security, the company is at the forefront of modernizing U.S. defense capabilities.

As Strategic Strike progresses toward full-scale production, its impact on future military operations will be closely watched. The ability to deploy precision strikes from beyond enemy detection ranges marks a significant step forward in the evolution of next-generation warfare.