- Covenant has launched Anthem to address the US military's missile demand challenges.
- Anthem has undergone over 200 flight tests, covering key elements of the weapon's design.
- Covenant has opened new facilities in Texas and Germany to support large-scale production.
- The company has secured around $150 million in orders, accelerating testing and qualification.
Covenant has officially launched Anthem, a long-range strike weapon designed to address a key challenge faced by the US military: producing enough missiles for sustained conflicts. The company claims Anthem combines heavy payloads, long-range capabilities, and lower production costs compared to traditional weapons. Covenant also disclosed it has raised over $250 million in funding from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, Lux, 8VC, Aleph, and Lightspeed.
Anthem is aimed at achieving large-scale production, and the Dallas-based defense startup has already conducted over 200 flight tests of the weapon. The tests began with the first flight in August 2025 and included exercises with the US Army both domestically and abroad. These flights allowed engineers to test the system across multiple missions, and Covenant says the tests covered the main elements of the weapon's design. Michael Kaufman, co-founder and CEO of Covenant, stated that adversaries can deploy thousands of hardened targets beyond current strike ranges.
Anthem is designed to give the US military the ability to threaten these targets in response to sustained operations.
Anthem's Production Plans and Expansion
"If our stockpiles thin, so does our deterrence," Kaufman said. Anthem's range remains undisclosed, though unconfirmed reports estimate it at around 750 miles. According to Reuters, the weapon's payload capacity exceeds 441 pounds. For a new long-range weapon, its production plan is highly aggressive. Covenant recently opened a 105,000-square-foot facility in Dallas, Texas, with plans to begin full-scale production in Q1 2027, ultimately reaching an annual output of around 5,000 units.
Covenant is also expanding its manufacturing footprint overseas. A 110,000-square-foot facility in Saxony, Germany, supports production through European supply chains. Another facility, spanning 32,000 square feet, is operational in northern Israel. Anthem's design goes beyond the missile itself, as Covenant has developed its own mission planning and command-and-control software to coordinate launches. The weapon also relies heavily on commercial off-the-shelf components. Strategic agreements cover other key components, while allied supply chains provide additional manufacturing capacity.
This approach helps Covenant avoid some of the bottlenecks associated with dedicated defense production and provides a pathway for the company to ramp up production during times of wartime demand.
The Shift in Defense Procurement
This manufacturing strategy reflects a broader shift in defense procurement. US officials are increasingly encouraging contractors to deliver affordable weapons in larger quantities. Kathleen Hicks, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, stated that Anthem aligns with principles related to the Pentagon's Replicator program, which pushes the Department of Defense toward affordable systems that can be produced at scale.
Covenant has secured around $150 million in orders, with transactions including research, development, qualification work, and production contracts. The US Army has included the company in an "Other Transaction Agreement" to expedite testing and qualification. The Navy's Rapid Capabilities Office has also contracted with Covenant to develop a maritime version, with the project valued at around $70 million, including cost-sharing and modifications aimed at simplifying future exports to US allies and partners.
Covenant says additional contract awards could come by the end of 2026.
The company currently plans to expand its engineering, manufacturing, and operations staff in Texas to support the full-scale ramp-up of production. This strategy provides Covenant with multiple pathways for Anthem to move beyond its initial US production base. As the weapon enters qualification and full-scale production, its overseas facilities can also support allied demand.
The Impact of Anthem on US Military Capability
Covenant's Anthem weapon system reflects the changing demands of the current US military, particularly in terms of missile production capacity for sustained conflicts. As global security dynamics evolve, the demand for long-range strike weapons is increasing. Covenant's strategy not only enhances production efficiency but also enables rapid responses to wartime needs. Additionally, by leveraging commercial off-the-shelf components, Covenant reduces production bottlenecks, which has important implications for future defense procurement models, highlighting the importance of affordable weapon systems.