Anduril Bolt vs Bolt-M
Bolt and Bolt-M share a family but differ in the key question of mission and expendability. Baseline Bolt provides a reconnaissance reference; Bolt-M is the weaponized precision-strike member. Their shared software ecosystem does not erase the distinction between observing and attacking.
Open these drones in the interactive compare tool
Specifications side by side
| Specification | Anduril Bolt | Bolt-M |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Anduril Industries | Anduril Industries |
| Country of origin | USA | USA |
| Mission role | Reconnaissance / Modular Precision Effects | Precision Strike / Autonomous Hunt-and-Kill |
| Year introduced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Length | Not publicly disclosed | 1.8 m |
| Wingspan | Not publicly disclosed | 0.9 m |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed | 0.3 m |
| Maximum speed | Not publicly disclosed | 180 km/h |
| Published range | Not publicly disclosed | 20 km |
| Endurance | Not publicly disclosed | 30 min |
| Service ceiling | Not publicly disclosed | 4,000 m |
| Payload | Not publicly disclosed | 4 kg (warhead) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed | 14 kg |
| Armament | Configuration dependent; Bolt-M variant supports a precision-effect payload | Integrated shaped-charge warhead; autonomous terminal guidance |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Keep payload, operator supervision and mission termination configuration-specific. A baseline surveillance aircraft should not be assigned a weaponized variant's strike claims. Automation that reduces piloting workload does not by itself establish unrestricted autonomous target selection or weapons release.
Understanding Anduril Bolt
Bolt provides a compact vertical-takeoff reconnaissance reference within Anduril's family. Its baseline surveillance role must be distinguished from the explicitly weaponized Bolt-M configuration.
Do not turn family-level descriptions of precision effects into a claim that every baseline Bolt is a strike munition.
Understanding Bolt-M
Bolt-M is the weaponized precision-strike member of the Bolt family. Its expendable mission and operator-supervised targeting should be separated from the reusable reconnaissance purpose of baseline Bolt.
Claims about autonomy, target recognition and operator workload need a specified configuration; automation does not establish unrestricted autonomous weapons release.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named Anduril Bolt and Bolt-M catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Anduril Bolt and Bolt-M?
Bolt and Bolt-M share a family but differ in the key question of mission and expendability. Baseline Bolt provides a reconnaissance reference; Bolt-M is the weaponized precision-strike member. Their shared software ecosystem does not erase the distinction between observing and attacking.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the Anduril Bolt and Bolt-M profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- Anduril Bolt: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- Bolt-M: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.