Michelle Fellows
Michelle Fellows is Managing Director of Business Development at McAllister & Quinn, where she supports organizations pursuing federal funding and strategic growth opportunities across the all of the firm’s sectors. Prior to joining the firm, she worked on defense policy at a leading foreign policy advocacy organization, bringing experience in national security policy, government affairs, and federal funding strategy.
Army Signals Shift Toward Lower-Cost, High-Volume Missile Production
The U.S. Army is sending a clear message to the defense industrial base: future missile capabilities must be affordable, manufacturable, and scalable.
Recent conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have highlighted the need for larger, more sustainable inventories of long-range precision munitions. At the same time, growing competition with adversaries is driving the Department of War to expand production capacity across the defense industrial base.
In response, the Army and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) are investing in lower-cost, ground-launched missile systems that can be manufactured quickly and produced at scale. This approach, known as “affordable mass,” aims to ensure the military can obtain larger inventories of precision weapons while reducing costs and strengthening the defense industrial base.
For defense technology companies, this shift represents more than a single funding announcement. It signals an evolving acquisition strategy that is creating new opportunities for innovative defense technologies.
New Innovation Standards For Missile Technologies
One of the clearest examples of the Army’s shift toward affordable, scalable missile technologies is the new Ground-Based Affordable Mass (G-BAM) Challenge, launched in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
The challenge is designed to identify innovative companies developing ground-launched, long-range precision systems and the technologies that enable them. Beyond complete missile systems, the Army is seeking solutions that improve:
More importantly, the G-BAM Challenge demonstrates how the Army is evaluating future capabilities.
Technical innovation alone is no longer enough.
Companies must demonstrate that their technologies can move from prototype to production quickly, integrate into existing military systems, and support the Army's long-term objective of delivering affordable precision capabilities at scale.
A New Model for Defense Innovation
Unlike a traditional SBIR solicitation, the Ground-Based Affordable Mass (G-BAM) initiative begins with the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) challenge process. Companies interested in pursuing this opportunity were required to submit a white paper by August 5, 2026. Organizations selected as finalists will move forward in the Army’s evaluation process, providing an opportunity to further demonstrate the maturity and transition potential of their technologies.
For companies that submitted a white paper, the focus now shifts to preparing for the next phase. For those that did not, the G-BAM Challenge still provides valuable insight into the technologies the Army is prioritizing. The emphasis on affordability, rapid manufacturing, scalable production, autonomy, and advanced missile technologies reflects broader Department of War modernization efforts that are likely to create future opportunities across the defense innovation ecosystem.
Why This Matters for Defense Technology Companies
The Ground-Based Affordable Mass initiative reflects a broader transformation in Department of War acquisition priorities.
Across the military, defense leaders are increasingly emphasizing systems that can be manufactured quickly, produced at scale, and delivered at substantially lower cost than traditional high-end munitions.
For companies developing missile technologies, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing processes, propulsion technologies, or precision guidance capabilities, this trend is likely to create additional opportunities as the Department of War continues expanding its affordable mass strategy.
How McAllister & Quinn Can Help
McAllister & Quinn helps defense technology companies identify emerging federal priorities and position their technologies for successful engagement with the Department of War.
Our Defense & Advanced Technology team provides strategic intelligence, opportunity identification, proposal development, and federal funding strategy to help innovative companies compete for SBIR, STTR, DIU, DPA, and other defense innovation opportunities. By monitoring evolving acquisition priorities and emerging funding initiatives, we help clients align their technologies with the needs of federal agencies and strengthen their competitiveness in an increasingly dynamic defense marketplace.
To learn more about how your technology aligns with the DoW evolving modernization priorities or to discuss upcoming federal funding and acquisition opportunities contact Michelle Fellows, at Information@jm-aq.com to speak with a member of our team.