Aeglos Problem Statement
Lockheed Martin's HIMARS rocket launch system has consistently hit high-value targets far behind the front line.1 However, it is expensive to operate; its longest range rockets cost almost $1M each. From 1991-2015, Lockheed produced only 3,700 of these rockets largely because of the high costs.2 3 Accordingly, the HIMARS' expensive ammunition impedes its proliferation by limiting its domain to only expensive targets.
A cheaper, lighter system with comparable range is needed as a natural complement to the HIMARS. However, hitting targets hundreds of miles behind the front line is a difficult problem. Rockets are good at quickly launching a payload long distances. The other option is to launch the payload only a short distance, such as from an aircraft. Fairchild's A-10 aircraft has excelled in that role; in asymmetric conflicts, attack aircraft are cost effective because risk of damage to aircraft is low. However, in symmetric conflicts, cost per strike by aircraft is inflated because the risk of damage is high. Alternatives to HIMARS like the Iranian Shahed have been popularized by this same calculation.
Aeglos is building a launch platform that does not suffer from the drawbacks of the HIMARS, the A-10, or the Shahed by leveraging advantages exclusive to defenders in a large-scale ground war. The launch platform will therefore allow defenders to strike targets that were previously inaccessible due to risk and cost.