High-capacity suppliers for low-cost missiles

Value in volume

In today’s market, there is value in volume, and the increased demand in sheer quantity is measurable. In financial terms, the shift can be measured with a factor of as much as 1:10, moving from high-end missile systems at a cost of approximately $4m per unit to about $400k per unit for affordable mass missile systems.

In terms of Time-to-Market, the change is equally staggering. Reducing the development cycle from about 8 years to 18 months is not a change that happens overnight. This affects the manufacturing methods, the structure of sub-suppliers, and the design of the components.

This shift is not only changing the end products but also the entire industrial ecosystem behind them. Prime contractors, like CoAspire, are increasingly looking for partners capable of scaling production rapidly while maintaining consistency and reliability. As a result, sub-suppliers must be prepared to deliver higher volumes, shorter lead times, and stable quality across large production runs.

“It’s partners like Multicut that enable successful
transformation in munitions production capacity, reducing risk to allied operational scenarios at a time when nations call”

- says Drew Krut, Head of Global Manufacturing & Value Chain, CoAspire.

Towards mass production

Shifting the focus from exclusivity to mass production is impacting the manufacturing framework. Quantity, speed, and agility all play a bigger role than has been the case so far. These new demands are driving factors in the market, affecting every step of the manufacturing line from acquisition to testing, and, of course, production capacity.

For sub-suppliers, this means adapting to a new manufacturing reality. Flexibility in production planning, robust supply chains, and scalable processes are no longer advantages — they are prerequisites. The ability to ramp up quickly while maintaining tight tolerances is becoming a defining factor in modern defense manufacturing.

Luckily, our manufacturing setup has been preparing for this reality for years.

Image: CoAspire's Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM)

M·Sys™ – a setup for every demand

This shift changes the demands of prime contractors and sub-suppliers alike. Though the market is changing, in industries like defense, the ramp-up must be executed without compromising the reliability of the components delivered.

Though the emphasis on quantity is increasing, quality is still paramount, and the demands for documented repeatability and traceability remain. Our fully automated M·Sys™ manufacturing line ensures scalability whilst maintaining quality. 

As a testament to the agility of our manufacturing setup, we were able to adjust to the new reality, and within just 18 months, we were able to support new high-volume programmes aligned with the emerging demand for low-cost missile systems. By combining automation, standardized processes, and robust quality control, M·Sys™ enables rapid ramp-up without sacrificing precision, consistency, or traceability — all essential parameters in modern defense manufacturing.

At Multicut, we will continue to support both high-end and low-cost programmes. Whether the requirement is ultra-precision components for advanced missile systems or high-volume productions for affordable munitions, scalability and reliability remain at the core of our manufacturing philosophy. 

In other words, increased production volumes and shorter development cycles are a challenge we have spent years preparing for.

Image: CoAspire's Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM)

Are you looking for an experienced supplier to deliver high-quality components for your next low-cost programme? Don't hesitate to reach out to our CSO, Lars Juhl, and let's explore the best solution for your upcoming project.