US firm Griffon Aerospace is reconfiguring its Arrowhead target drone into a loitering munition with one-way striking capability.
The MQM-172 Arrowhead, originally built to mimic aerial threats during military training, will be fitted with modular payloads of up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms), giving it flexibility for both training and strike roles.
Griffon described the variant as a new “low-cost” weapon for the US military, keeping Arrowhead’s proven airframe to speed fielding and cut support costs.
“A one-way attack configuration built on the same proven Arrowhead airframe — a cost-effective, rapidly fieldable option for strike and attritable-effects missions,” said Griffon’s Program Manager Daniel Beck, as quoted by Defence Blog.
He added that the company’s design and support make fielding the system “simple and predictable.”
‘American Shahed’
The Arrowhead uses a delta-wing layout to reproduce the silhouette and light profile of aerial threats for realistic target practice.
Launched options include a RATO (rocket-assisted takeoff) platform or truck-mounted launchers. Its landing and recovery setup also allows repeated use without sacrificing performance.
Open-source observers have dubbed the Arrowhead an “American Shahed,” pointing to its visual similarity to Iran’s Shahed-136 loitering munition and its potential for low-cost mass production.
“The Arrowhead MQM-172 continues to prove itself as a dependable training and target platform engineered for repeatable performance and easy integration into live-fire and test programs,” Beck said.
“If you’re evaluating target drones or considering one-way attack solutions, I’d welcome a conversation about capabilities, timelines, and how Griffon can tailor a solution to your mission.”
