U.S. Army Approves Full-Scale Production of Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)

The U.S. Army has officially approved the transition of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 program into full-scale production and deployment, following the achievement of Milestone C on July 2, 2025. This development marks a pivotal step in the Army’s long-range precision fires modernization initiative, aimed at enhancing its ability to engage high-value targets at extended ranges. The PrSM is designed to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has been in service since the Cold War era.

Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). Lockheed Martin

Developed by Lockheed Martin, the PrSM is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile system that introduces several key advancements over its predecessor. Among the most notable improvements is its extended range capability, which exceeds 400 kilometers and is reported to approach 499 kilometers. This range significantly surpasses that of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), which is currently the most widely used precision artillery munition by the U.S. Army and has a maximum range of approximately 84 kilometers.

The PrSM’s design incorporates a modular open-systems architecture, allowing for future upgrades and adaptability to evolving battlefield requirements. Its compact size enables a two-per-pod configuration, effectively doubling the missile load-out per launcher compared to ATACMS. This increased capacity enhances the operational flexibility and firepower of the Army’s artillery units.

The missile is compatible with two of the Army’s primary rocket artillery platforms: the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). HIMARS, known for its mobility and rapid deployment capabilities, is mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis and is transportable by C-130 aircraft. The M270A2, a tracked launcher, offers greater payload capacity and is suited for sustained fire missions. The interoperability of PrSM with both platforms ensures a broad deployment footprint and supports joint and coalition operations.

Technologically, the PrSM features an Inertial Navigation System (INS) integrated with Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance, providing high levels of accuracy. It also includes an insensitive munition propulsion system and an energetic payload designed to defeat a wide array of targets, including enemy air defenses, command centers, logistics hubs, and missile systems. These capabilities are intended to support the Army’s execution of Fires in Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), a strategic concept that emphasizes the integration of capabilities across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains.

The approval for production follows a series of successful qualification tests, including launches that demonstrated the missile’s performance in terms of range, reliability, and precision. These tests validated the system’s readiness for operational deployment and confirmed its ability to meet the Army’s requirements for long-range precision strike capabilities.

The PrSM Increment 1 is part of a broader modernization strategy that seeks to maintain the U.S. Army’s technological edge in an increasingly contested global security environment. By enabling deep fires against high-value targets, the missile enhances the Army’s deterrence posture and its ability to respond to emerging threats. The system’s scalability and adaptability also position it as a foundational component for future enhancements, including potential integration with advanced sensors and targeting systems.

A recent $120 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin is intended to boost production capacity to approximately 400 missiles annually, reflecting the Army’s commitment to rapidly fielding this capability.

The transition of the PrSM program into the production and deployment phase represents a significant milestone in the U.S. Army’s efforts to modernize its long-range precision fires. By replacing the legacy ATACMS with a more capable and flexible system, the Army aims to enhance its operational reach, lethality, and responsiveness in future conflicts. The PrSM’s compatibility with existing launch platforms, combined with its extended range and precision, underscores its strategic value in the evolving landscape of modern warfare.