Anduril Steelfin modular interceptor explained
Anduril pitches Steelfin as a cheaper interceptor than the Patriot's PAC-3 MSE. So far every cost and schedule figure behind it comes from Anduril executives. Anduril Steelfin is a modular interceptor that Anduril unveiled on October 12, 2026, according to Breaking Defense.
At Drone and Defense, we track the programs and contracts behind new weapons such as Steelfin. Anduril is a private company, so there is no Steelfin ticker or Anduril share price to watch.
What Steelfin Is and What Anduril Claims
Anduril Steelfin is an interceptor built to swap rocket motors, seekers and launch platforms. Anduril executives are aiming for it to cost one third of the Patriot's PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE). They expect full-rate production by the end of 2028 or the beginning of 2029.
Each of those points is a claim from Anduril executives, as reported by Breaking Defense. Chris Brose, Anduril's president and chief strategy officer, said Anduril has worked on Steelfin "for a couple of years". The cost figure is a target. Anduril has published no Steelfin unit price.
Breaking Defense datelines its report in Washington, and its photo captions place it around the 2026 AUSA conference. The article does not say where the unveiling itself took place.
The Modular Design
Brose described Steelfin as modular in three ways: it can take different rocket motors, different seekers, and different launch platforms. He named PAC-3, CAML and Typhoon launchers, plus containerized munitions canisters.
He said Steelfin can be reconfigured to counter cheap threats such as Iranian Shaheds up to ballistic cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons.
| Design element | What Anduril executives said | What is not published |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket motor | Steelfin can use different rocket motors | Motor specifications, range, speed |
| Seeker | Steelfin can use different seekers | Seeker type for any configuration |
| Launch platform | PAC-3, CAML, Typhoon and containerized canisters | Any completed launch test |
| Target set | Shahed-class drones up to ballistic cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons | Intercept results against any target |
The Cost Claim Against PAC-3 MSE
Anduril executives say they are aiming for Steelfin to "cost a third of the price" of a PAC-3 MSE. Breaking Defense reports this as a goal. Anduril has published no Steelfin unit price, and this page states no PAC-3 MSE price, so the one-third figure cannot be turned into a dollar saving.
For context, the wider cost question is the gap between expensive interceptor missiles and cheap attacking drones. Our cost-per-intercept page lays out that gap: interceptor missiles around $3M against drones that can cost about $30K. Those are figures cited by Furientis for the category. They are not Steelfin figures.
If you want to compare Steelfin with other approaches to the drone threat, our Skyhammer guide and counter-UAS overview cover them.
Where Steelfin Fits in the Army Interceptor Programs
Steelfin is linked to two separate Army efforts, and its status differs in each. Steve Milano, Anduril's senior director of missiles, said Anduril is competing with Steelfin for the Army's low-cost interceptor program.
Anduril was one of many vendors chosen to move on to testing and demonstrations after the Army's xTech Apex Intercept competition. That competition aimed to find "effective yet affordable interceptors".
The second effort is the Future Interceptor program, which seeks a next-generation PAC-3 MSE. Breaking Defense previously reported that Lockheed Martin and one undisclosed company were selected. Anduril declined to say whether Steelfin was selected.
Milano called Steelfin a "natural fit in that domain space". He described the requirements as a seven to 10 inch terminal interceptor with a 10 to 13 inch booster that fits the existing Patriot launcher and CAML. He said Steelfin "fits very well" with them.
Production Plan and Supply Chain
Milano said Anduril expects Steelfin full-rate production by the end of 2028 or the beginning of 2029. He put annual output at "multiple thousands" at the low end and "closer to hundreds of thousands" at the high end. He tied that range to demand from US and foreign customers.
Anduril plans to build most sub-assemblies at its Arsenal-1 facility in Ohio. It will complete "final integration" with "a handful of our partners".
Some solid rocket motors will come from Anduril and some from other companies. Milano said the modular mounting is designed to take in new suppliers.
What To Verify Before Trusting the Numbers
Every Steelfin figure so far is an executive statement. No contract or test record backs it. Range, speed, altitude, warhead, seeker type, unit price and intercept results are all unpublished. No Steelfin contract value has been reported.
An executive cost target stays a claim until a published price or a contract award backs it. The production volumes span from thousands to hundreds of thousands a year, and Milano tied them to demand from US and foreign customers.
Anduril is private and has no ticker, so Steelfin is not available as a stock. For the wider field, our counter-drone companies list and anti-drone systems guide cover other companies and systems.
What Would Change This Read
Four developments would turn the Steelfin claims into checkable facts.
Until one of these appears, read the full Breaking Defense report on Anduril Steelfin for the exact wording of each executive claim.
| Development | What it would show |
|---|---|
| A published Steelfin unit price | Whether the one-third-of-PAC-3-MSE target holds |
| A confirmed Army selection | Whether Steelfin won a place in the low-cost interceptor program or Future Interceptor |
| Independent test results | Whether Steelfin intercepts a named target |
| Named final-integration partners | Who builds the production run beyond Arsenal-1 |
Drones and UAS FAQs
What is Anduril Steelfin?
Anduril Steelfin is a modular interceptor Anduril unveiled on October 12, 2026, per Breaking Defense. Chris Brose, Anduril's president, said it can use different rocket motors and seekers and launch from PAC-3, CAML and Typhoon systems or containerized canisters.
How much does Anduril Steelfin cost compared with PAC-3?
Anduril has published no Steelfin unit price. Its executives are aiming for Steelfin to cost one third of a PAC-3 MSE, and Breaking Defense reports that figure as a target. This page states no PAC-3 MSE dollar price.
When will Anduril Steelfin enter production?
Anduril expects full-rate production by the end of 2028 or the beginning of 2029, according to Steve Milano, its senior director of missiles. He said annual output could range from multiple thousands to closer to hundreds of thousands, depending on demand.
Has Anduril published Steelfin's range or speed?
No. Range, speed, altitude, warhead, seeker type and intercept test results for Steelfin are all unpublished. The available details are design and schedule claims from Anduril executives.
Can I invest in Anduril?
Anduril is a private company with no ticker, so it has no public share price. For other companies working on counter-drone systems, see our counter-drone companies list.