General Atomics and Rafael aim to deliver a long-range, precision strike capability to U.S. forces through the new Bullseye missile.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems unveiled the new Bullseye Long-Range Strike Missile at Sea Air Space 2025. In collaboration with Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, General Atomics looks to deliver a low-cost, advanced precision strike capability to U.S. forces.
Scott Forney, President of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, told Naval News in an interview at Sea Air Space on Monday:
“Today, we unveiled a new cruise missile, it’s called Bullseye. We signed an agreement with Rafael from their Ice Breaker program, which they’re making right now. So we’re getting lessons learned on cost reduction, and we’ll build at least half the missile in the United States,”
The one-to-one scale model presented at Sea Air Space had many similarities with Rafael’s Ice Breaker missile, which was unveiled in 2022 and derived from the surface-launched Sea Breaker.
While Forney could not provide details on the differences between the new General Atomics’ missile and Ice Breaker, Rafael’s infographics echoed Bullseye’s very low observable and autonomous characteristics. Rafael further claimed that Ice Breaker could strike targets 300 kilometers away with a 250-pound warhead. The infographic also stated that the missile could operate in GNSS-denied environments. Forney explained that the system’s current analogy in American service was the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, a guided glide bomb capable of striking targets 130 kilometers away.
“Bullseye’s unique design is configured to support various warhead payloads and propulsion requirements. Bullseye’s extended range, modularity, affordability, and multi-platform launch capabilities allow it to support numerous mission requirements/CONOPS (Concept of Operations) such as anti-ship, anti-surface, electronic warfare scenarios, decoy operations, and others,” stated a General Atomics press release.
Conceptual videos displayed Bullseye being launched from ground, maritime, and aerial platforms. Forney stressed that General Atomics was focusing on the air delivery method for Bullseye’s potential customers.
“The number one objective that I think is most important is you can imagine a long-range attack missile of some sort for air to maritime, that would be its first goal for us. But you can also imagine it launching out of a canister, out of an MLRS system, so that you can do box launches or maritime launches. But we’re most excited to put it onto air platforms first. Something like an F/A-18 would be awesome,” said Forney.
In recent years, the need for more affordable munitions has been highlighted amid reports of inadequate American missile stocks and the usage of high-end capabilities against lower-end targets. At Sea Air Space 2023, the U.S. Navy looked to drastically increase missile production capabilities. A video at the booth also stressed the need to counter current and future challenges while displaying artificial islands utilized by the People’s Liberation Army in the South China Sea.
In previous interviews with Naval News, Forney highlighted the robustness of General Atomics’ vertical supply chains regarding the company’s internally funded Long Range Maneuvering Projectile. With Bullseye, Forney believes that this manufacturing capability was one of the reasons why Rafael pursued its partnership on the missile.
“That’s why, I think, Rafael actually selected us. We had to go through a process with them, and I’m very proud of our relationship. But they did see our commitment, number one. And number two, our broad capabilities to manufacture. Whether the printed circuit boards, the seeker, the actual missile itself, the body, the avionics, and we are in very good position in our manufacturing facility,” said Forney.
According to General Atomics, up to 85% of Bullseye can be produced via the company’s production capabilities. However, talks are ongoing with Rafael to determine what the most cost-effective path forward is.
“We are uniquely blessed that Rafael has been able to get 1200 missiles under contract so as they learn, we learn. The more that they build, the more we can get the cost down for the United States services,” said Forney.
Bullseye is scheduled for delivery starting later this year and onwards.
