IRIA News

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The U.S. Army has completed a series of soldier-operated flight tests of Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, marking a key step toward modernization and demonstrating the weapon’s readiness for operational use.

The tests, carried out in September, involved the launch of PrSM from both the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). For the first time, soldiers successfully fired multiple missiles from both launcher platforms, underscoring the missile’s versatility and confirming its ability to operate seamlessly across the Army’s inventory.

According to Lockheed Martin, the successful demonstrations validated the missile’s performance criteria for range, lethality, and accuracy. The tests also showcased extended strike capability, providing American forces with a more lethal and adaptable long-range precision strike option on proven launcher systems.

Vice President of Precision Fires Launchers and Missiles at Lockheed Martin, Carolyn Orzechowski said, “This milestone validates the soldier’s ability to fire PrSM from all platforms in the U.S. Army inventory and certifies mission readiness.”

“Lockheed Martin is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to deliver the most advanced 21st Century Security solutions to the warfighter – leveraging digital technologies to streamline development, testing, and fielding,” Orzechowski added.

The tests reflect the Army’s close partnership with industry to rapidly develop and field cutting-edge capabilities. Lockheed Martin’s digital engineering approach, combined with the Army’s accelerated testing framework, has enabled the program to advance at an unprecedented pace. This collaboration ensures that the PrSM will be delivered on time and integrated into operational units without unnecessary delays.

Precision Strike Missiles

The PrSM is the next-generation, long-range precision-strike missile designed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Army. The surface-to-surface missile is capable of neutralizing targets out to more than 400 kilometers and aims to enhance the U.S. Army’s capabilities to attack, neutralize, suppress, and destroy targets.

It has advanced guidance systems to ensure pinpoint accuracy and is effective against enemy air defense, command centers, and high-value assets. The PrSM has completed multiple flight tests, demonstrating its ability to integrate with emerging technologies and engage targets at extended ranges. The program remains a priority for the U.S. Army’s long-range precision fires (LRPF) modernization efforts.

PrSM is built on a modular and open-systems architecture, ensuring affordability, flexibility, and scalability. This design allows for future upgrades, including integration of new seekers, enhanced payloads, and expanded range capabilities. The missile’s architecture ensures it can evolve to counter emerging threats while remaining cost-effective for long-term sustainment.

According to the Lockheed Martin, the “PrSM provides the Joint Force Commander with increased range, lethality, survivability, and missile loadout. These enhanced capabilities are critical to the successful execution of fires in support of combined Joint All-Domain Operations.”

PrSM Specifications

• Two PrSM rounds per launch pod
• Ranges from 60 to 499+ kilometers
• Open systems architecture
• Modular and easily adaptable
• IM energetic payload
• Compatible with MLRS M270 and HIMARS family of launchers

Enhancing Existing Launch Platforms

One of the most significant aspects of the recent tests is PrSM’s full integration with existing Army launcher systems. Both HIMARS and the M270A2 MLRS are combat-proven, widely deployed, and already integral to U.S. and allied force structures. By adapting PrSM to these platforms, the Army avoids the high cost of developing entirely new systems while significantly enhancing the lethality of existing launchers.

This approach ensures that units currently fielded with HIMARS and MLRS will seamlessly transition to using PrSM, strengthening operational readiness without disrupting force structure or requiring costly retraining. For U.S. allies who also operate HIMARS and MLRS, PrSM integration offers an avenue for enhanced interoperability and extended coalition strike capabilities.

Future Growth

Lockheed Martin has already outlined potential upgrades for PrSM, including extended-range variants capable of striking targets well beyond 500 kilometers and seeker technologies to engage maritime targets. These advancements would significantly expand the missile’s role in both land-based and joint-force operations.

As adversaries develop increasingly sophisticated anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) networks, PrSM provides the U.S. Army with the ability to penetrate defenses, degrade enemy capabilities, and support the larger joint campaign.

The progress of the PrSM program highlights not only the innovation of Lockheed Martin but also the Army’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge capabilities rapidly and effectively. As the program advances toward full deployment, PrSM is poised to become one of the most significant contributors to 21st-century land-based precision fires.