US Army, Lockheed Martin achieve key milestone with Precision Strike Missiles test Aiming to counter Russian, Chinese threats

US Army and Lockheed Martin have successfully tested two new Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) in a salvo launch, marking a significant milestone in their production qualification flights at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

The test demonstrated the PrSM’s ability to be fired consecutively from the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), in accordance with Army doctrine, which calls for the simultaneous launch of two missiles to effectively strike an incoming threat, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The trial also incorporated a key element: having an operator in the vehicle cab during the launch, a first in proving the missile’s safety for soldiers in the field.

According to Lockheed Martin, the two PrSMs, launched in a mid-range flight against a target set, successfully confirmed the missile's accuracy and operational readiness.

The first batch of PrSMs was delivered to the US Army in December 2023, with the missile set to replace the legacy Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Able to be launched from both HIMARS and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), the PrSM is a vital asset as the Army seeks to enhance its deep-strike capabilities against emerging threats from Russia and China.

US commanders across Europe and the Indo-Pacific have been particularly keen to acquire the system, which offers the ability to strike targets at ranges beyond 400 kilometres (249 miles).

This summer, the Army demonstrated the missile’s capabilities outside of US testing ranges, firing a PrSM from the Pacific island of Palau and successfully targeting a moving sea-based target.

Looking ahead, the Army plans to enhance the PrSM’s capabilities with future upgrades, including an improved seeker designed to defeat moving maritime targets. Additionally, the missile’s range and lethality will be increased, with the focus on a maritime strike capability to counter naval threats.

Lockheed Martin, alongside partners RTX and Northrop Grumman, will compete to develop the next phase of the missile programme, known as the Long-Range Maneuverable Fires initiative. This aims to significantly extend the missile's range—potentially more than doubling its current 499-kilometre (310-mile) reach.

Thus, US Army's withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019 has paved the way for the development of missiles that exceed the 499-kilometre range, previously restricted under the treaty.

In October 2021, the Army conducted a long-range test flight of the PrSM, which reportedly surpassed the 499-kilometre threshold.

Further tests are planned, with user testing set to begin in December. The Army expects to make a production decision for the first PrSM variant by the end of 2025.

By Aghakazim Guliyev