US New Low-Cost Interceptor “Steel Fin” — Interchangeable Engine and Mission Modules
US defense startup Anduril unveiled its newly developed “Steel Fin” interceptor at the defense exhibition of the 2026 Association of the United States Army annual meeting. The interceptor can swap out its engine and mission modules and is compatible with existing launch systems. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin also rolled out the next-generation Patriot interceptor “Patriot 3 Edge.” Both new interceptors are scheduled to begin testing in 2027.
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US defense startup Anduril unveiled its newly developed Steel Fin at the defense exhibition of the 2026 Association of the United States Army annual meeting. Steve Milano, a representative of Anduril’s advanced effects product line, introduced Steel Fin as follows.
The first-stage booster rocket of Steel Fin can be fitted with a variety of solid rocket motors to meet specific requirements for range, performance, booster type, launch configuration or loading density, while the second stage adopts a universal terminal interceptor architecture. All Steel Fin variants built for different mission requirements share the same baseline airframe, avionics, software, flight control system and interfaces, allowing the interceptor to integrate different seekers, mission systems and other components without redesigning the entire missile.
Steel Fin is also compatible with existing land-based and sea-based launch infrastructure, including the MK41 vertical launching system and the Typhon system.
Defense company Lockheed Martin also unveiled a next-generation Patriot interceptor on October 9, named Patriot 3 Edge, whose range and ceiling both exceed those of the Patriot 3 missiles currently in service. Patriot 3 Edge was designed as a proposal for the US Army’s future interceptor program competition, specifically to counter hypersonic weapons and a new generation of advanced maneuvering missile threats.
Steel Fin and Patriot 3 Edge are scheduled to begin testing in 2027. Voice of America reporter Liu Anming reporting from Washington.