The UK Ministry of Defence has officially launched Project NIGHTFALL, seeking a new ground-launched tactical ballistic missile with a range of over 500 km. The missile must deliver multiple effectors per mobile launcher, each carrying around 200–300 kg of high explosive, with a strike accuracy of within 5 meters even in GPS-denied environments. The system must be highly mobile, capable of firing all missiles within 15 minutes of stopping and departing within five minutes to avoid counter-strikes.
A strong emphasis is placed on speed, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. The MoD has set a target unit cost of £500,000 (excluding warhead, launcher, and development), with the requirement to produce at least 10 missiles per month and scale further if needed. An aggressive timeline is outlined, with a demonstration firing expected within nine months of contract award and serial production beginning 3–6 months later. Industry is encouraged to deliver practical, mass-producible solutions rather than highly complex, expensive designs.
The program also requires resilience against electronic warfare and harsh operating conditions, along with growth potential for range, accuracy, and maneuverability upgrades. Industry responses are due by 18 September 2025, followed by an industry day on 24 September. A competition is planned for late 2025, narrowing down to three funded proposals, with demonstrations expected in 2026, marking a major step toward rebuilding the UK’s long-range battlefield missile capability.
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