Lockheed Martin has delivered the first Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) to the U.S. Army providing long-range precision fires capability and achieving a major modernization milestone. Initial deliveries followed a successful production qualification test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico in November. One Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) was fired from a HIMARS launcher to hit a target set. The test is the shortest distance flown to date demonstrating the system’s continued accuracy from launch to impact. While not PrSM’s primary mission range, the short-range flight represents the most stressful, dynamic environment for the missile as it maneuvers at hypersonic speeds to align to the target. This test verifies structural integrity of the missile and trajectory control.
“This demonstration is the first of several production qualification tests moving PrSM closer to fielding and delivery of Early Operational Capability (EOC) missiles this year. PrSM is a critical capability and the top long-range precision fires modernization priority for the U.S. Army,” said Jay Price, vice president of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
To meet the Army’s PrSM Early Operational Capability (EOC), Lockheed Martin is using digital tools such as augmented reality, ARISE™ advanced modeling and simulation, data analytics, and software factory to advance development and improve producibility, quality and performance. Subsequent deliveries of PrSM will continue as Lockheed Martin ramps manufacturing efforts and produces additional EOC missiles to fulfill current contracts supporting the Army’s modernization priorities. The new surface-to-surface weapon features open systems architecture design for maximum flexibility, is modular for future growth and is HIMARS and Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) compatible.
The Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) is the U.S. Army’s next generation long-range precision strike missile to replace the MGM-140 ATACMS. Launched from M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. The PrSM features an open-systems architecture design to accommodate future growth. In July 2021, the US announced that Australia had become a partner in the PrSM Program with the Australian Army signing a memorandum of understanding for Increment 2 of the program with the US Army’s Defense Exports and Cooperation and had contributed US$54 million. The United Kingdom, as part of an upgrade to the British Army’s M270 MLRS to the M270A2 standard, has hinted that it may possibly acquire PrSM.
