Army Advances Deployment of Precision Strike Missile
The U.S. Army is accelerating the deployment of its new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) to replace its aging tactical missile system, which has been in service for four decades. This move represents a significant shift in the Army’s strategic capabilities, as explained by Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer for missiles and space, in a recent discussion with Defense News.
A production contract for the initial batch of PrSM missiles is anticipated by the end of the month. “We will put Lockheed Martin under contract for 400 missiles,” stated Lozano. This contract marks a critical step in expanding the Army’s missile inventory.
To support this expansion, the Army has collaborated with Lockheed Martin to boost production capacity, a necessary step ahead of the planned major production increase. The first PrSM units were delivered in December 2023, initiating the replacement of the older Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
The PrSM, capable of launching from both the HIMARS and M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System, is essential for achieving deep-strike capabilities. This is vital for countering advanced Russian and Chinese military technologies, and both European and Indo-Pacific U.S. commanders are eager to adopt this capability, which can reach targets beyond 400 kilometers (249 miles).
Throughout 2024, Lockheed delivered 26 missiles, and the Army is scheduled to receive an additional 54 by the end of the year, bringing the total to 100 missiles. The production will escalate significantly, with expectations to reach 400 missiles by the end of fiscal year 2027 and into 2028, according to Lozano. “We’ve been very deliberate and aggressive in increasing that capacity very steadily,” he affirmed.
The Army’s focus on expanding PrSM production involves phasing out ATACMS production, as both missile lines share the same facility. “I want to create enough PrSM capacity to be able to address both [foreign military sales] requirements as well as U.S. requirements, so I need to sunset ATACM sales,” Lozano explained.
Plans are underway to develop an exportable version of PrSM Increment 1 for international markets, replacing ATACMS. Currently, Lockheed’s production line for ATACMS is fulfilling orders for Taiwan. Once ATACMS production concludes in about 24 months, the PrSM facility will fully ramp up to meet increasing demand.
The Army is planning to enhance PrSM capabilities in future increments, including an improved seeker for maritime targets and technology for increased lethality and range. The immediate focus is on developing a ship-killing capability. Lockheed, RTX, and a Northrop Grumman team are set to compete in developing the Long-Range Maneuverable Fires program, aiming to extend the missile’s range significantly, potentially more than doubling its current reach of 499 kilometers (310 miles).
