The United States Army carried out a new test launch of its new Precision Strike Missile (or PrSM) Increment 1 from an M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), thus consolidating progress in the program aimed at equipping artillery units with enhanced long-range precision strike capabilities, surpassing those of the current ATACMS.
The recent evaluation, carried out yesterday, was deemed successful, demonstrating the effective integration of the missile with the M270A2 rocket launcher and validating its performance in terms of accuracy, lethality, and operational readiness. According to the Army, this test is part of the system’s production qualification testing — a key phase toward its deployment with operational units.
Major General Frank Lozano, Program Executive Officer for Missiles and Space, reaffirmed the Army’s continued support to its warfighters and allies: “With this successful test, the U.S. Army reinforces its commitment to defending U.S. interests, providing joint commanders the capability to strike high-value targets.”
This test follows one conducted in November 2024 at White Sands Missile Range to assess the capability of launching the new ballistic missiles from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (M142 HIMARS). Additionally, it aimed to further validate the system’s accuracy and readiness in its production variant.
The PrSM represents the next generation of U.S. Army ballistic missiles with the ability to neutralize targets over 400 kilometers away. Its modular design allows for future upgrades and is compatible with the Army’s current M142 HIMARS and M270 rocket and missile artillery systems.
The first batch of PrSMs was delivered in December 2023 to begin replacing the current MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles. According to Army officials, the delivery of the first missiles, under the designation “Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 Early Operational Capability,” was made possible thanks to a successful production qualification test carried out in November 2023. That test involved the launch of a missile from an M142 HIMARS system at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, which successfully struck a set of short-range targets.
In addition to these tests carried out on U.S. soil, another significant milestone was reported last June during the Valiant Shield 24 SINKEX exercise, when a PrSM was launched from the island of Palau in the Pacific and successfully struck a moving target at sea.
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