The U.S. Air Force’s Havoc Spear cruise missile, officially designated the AGM-190A, has successfully passed a combat evaluation and is cleared for broader operational use across special operations and conventional aircraft.
The evaluation took place during the spring of 2026 in partnership with U.S. Africa Command, involving live operational launches from a C-130 aircraft in a test configuration. According to officials, the missile performed accurately and met requirements for a small cruise missile, paving the way for wider fielding.
Built with a modular and mission-adaptable design, the Havoc Spear allows operators to configure it for various targets and effects while keeping production costs and timelines below those of older programs. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Conley, AFSOC commander, noted that the missile’s range and capabilities expand standoff options, giving commanders a versatile tool to neutralize threats without exposing platforms or personnel to immediate danger. He also emphasized the value of proving a new weapon system’s success on the battlefield early in the process, according to the AFSOC press release.
U.S. Africa Command framed the test as part of its ongoing counterterrorism mission. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, AFRICOM commander, stated that the successful operational assessments demonstrate the command’s continued delivery of unique capabilities to defend U.S. interests alongside partners.
The missile’s development path bypassed much of the traditional acquisition process. Led by U.S. Special Operations Command on AFSOC’s behalf through a cooperative research and development agreement with an industry partner, the weapon moved from design through combat testing in under three years, avoiding the standard five- to seven-year timeline. U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnston, AFSOC director of strategic plans, programs and requirements, stated that outpacing adversaries requires exploring agile, lesser-known modernization pathways to deepen industry partnerships and rapidly deliver capabilities to warfighters.
While AFSOC has cleared the weapon for broader use, the command has not disclosed its unit cost, production rate, or which additional aircraft will carry the missile.
