On 11 December 2024, the U.S. Army successfully completed its first Soldier-led Limited User Test (LUT) of the Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), marking a key milestone in the development of the next-generation long-range precision strike missile.
The test took place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where Soldiers launched two PrSM missiles from a HIMARS system during a long-range test against a target set, demonstrating the missile system’s readiness and accuracy.
“The PrSM program has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver accurate and reliable performance,” said Carolyn Orzechowski, vice president of Precision Fires Launchers and Missiles at Lockheed Martin.
“This achievement underscores the program’s maturity and reinforces the system’s reliability for our Army partner.”
The successful completion of the LUT highlights the progress of the PrSM program, which is a critical component of the U.S. Army’s modernisation efforts. Designed to neutralise targets up to 400 kilometres away, PrSM features a modular and open systems architecture, allowing for both flexibility and future growth.
The system is compatible with both the M142 HIMARS and the M270A2 MLRS, offering enhanced interoperability and future-proofing for the Army’s needs.
This successful test represents a significant step forward in the U.S. Army’s pursuit of enhanced precision strike capabilities, with the missile poised to play a crucial role in modernising the U.S. Army’s artillery capabilities.
Hi George it might be worth expanding on the context of what the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is and the difference between it and the previous Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
The ATACMS (MGM-140) is a short range ballistic missile that confirms to the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (ITNFT). Meaning its range is limited to under 310 miles (500km). The contemporary to ATACMS is the Russian Iskander-M. Though it carries a much bigger warhead and us faster, Iskander’s use against Ukraine has shown that it does not comply to range limits of the Treaty. ATACMS reaches a published terminal speed of Mach 3+. It usually comes in two warhead flavors. A unitary 500lbs (230kg) or depending on the missile variant between 300 and 950 bomblets. There are also some specialized versions but don’t make of the bulk of the missiles produced.
PrSM is the ATACMS replacement. It is going to be incrementally developed. Which each new variant developing new capabilities. The 1st increment is more or less a direct replacement for ATACMS, as the requirements were set when the US was still complying to the ITNFT. So its range has been set at 310 miles. It has the same type of unguided warhead. So is only useful against fixed targets. The missile however is half the diameter of ATACMs, so the plan is for a pod to carry 4 missiles, allowing a M270 vehicle to carry 8 missiles. Due to the smaller width of the missile’s body, the unitary warhead is only 200lbs (91kg).
The next increment is the more interesting one. As it gives PrSM the ability to hit moving targets on land and at sea. The missile’s range is being extended to 610 miles (1000km). The missile will use what is being called a multi-mode seeker. Which could be a dual infrared and semi-active laser seeker, or include the mmW radar seeker ti the one used on Hellfire.
The next increments build on the first two, including various different warheads, such as a bunker buster, as well as increasing the range further. The fifth increment, they are looking at either making it a longer dual stage rocket. Or making the rocket longer as a single stage.
Ukraine has been given ATACMS by the USA, which even though it’s relatively slow and has a smaller unitary warhead than Iskander. Has proven very difficult to intercept. It would be interesting to know what its success rate is? Due to how well ATACMS has performed however, the UK has shown a keen interest in the PrSM.
Wow, that’s a pretty comprehensive explanation.
Thanks for the information
George, a copy paste into the article seems fair?
Thanks Davey, that’s helpful. Is PrSM a ballistic missile as well, or more like a ground launched cruise missile? Just one point, I thought the form factor allowed for 2 PrSM on an M142 and 4 on an M270, rather than 4 and 8? May be wrong, but I thought the standard GMLRS were 4-packs in the modules- which would put PrSM in the same size category
I have the feeling that there will be a lot of potential customers (UK included) trying to work out how to get a cluster warhead without falling foul of the treaty. Same with artillery to be fair. It’s proved to be hugely effective in Ukraine.
M142 carries a single pod of ammunition and M270 carries two.
There are 6 GMLRS/MLRS rockets in a pod, so 6 and 12.
A single ATACMS in a pod, so 1 or 2
Two PrSM in a pod, so 2 and 4 respectively.
PrSM is a “short” range ballistic missile. Though that definition strays into a grey area when it goes to increment 2, which has nearly double the range.
Appears to be a capable future family of munitions. Now the sobering question: Any official estimate of the fully wrapped cost/missile? Painful lesson learned (even by Uncle Sugar) that before inviting any weapon system to the dance, advisable to know and accept the ticket price.
Yeah, we don’t need any $1 million 155mm shells, (looking at you BAE) 😀
Hopefully large procurement by AUKUS partners and others can keep price low. This might be the most important weapon of the first half of the 21st century.
I really hope we buy a good number, atleast high hundreds. I also hope we get the anti ship version. This will be a massive game changer for both the British Army and Royal Marine Commandos.
@DaveyB
Many thanks for your fascinating and detailed description of the LM PrSM system. Knowledgeable posts such as yours make such a refreshing contrast to the speculative disinformation and half-understood facts frequently posted here by idiot trolls and Russian fellow-travellers
Its range is 500 km