Exclusive: U.S. Army’s M270A2 Rocket Launcher Achieves 400 km Strike Capability with PrSM Missile Test.

On April 14, 2025, American Company Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army successfully conducted the first launch of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from the upgraded M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) during a production qualification test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This short-range test not only validated the missile’s integration with the M270A2 launcher but also confirmed its accuracy, lethality, and reliability under operational stress conditions.
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The U.S. Army conducts the first launch of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from a modernized M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System at White Sands Missile Range, demonstrating a precision strike capability at ranges exceeding 400 kilometers. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The PrSM (Precision Strike Missile ) is the U.S. Army’s next-generation surface-to-surface missile, developed to replace the aging MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Compared to ATACMS, PrSM delivers significantly improved performance in almost every critical area. While ATACMS is limited to a range of approximately 300 kilometers and carries a single warhead per launch pod, PrSM features a modular, open-systems design and boasts an extended range exceeding 400 kilometers. Each pod can accommodate two PrSM missiles, doubling the firing capacity of each M270A2 or HIMARS launcher. This not only enhances overall firepower but also allows for more efficient and sustained operations during high-intensity conflict.

In terms of destructive capability, PrSM’s warhead delivers a more focused and high-impact kinetic strike, tailored for engaging high-value, time-sensitive targets such as enemy air defense systems, mobile command posts, radar arrays, and logistics hubs. The missile uses an advanced guidance system to maintain exceptional precision throughout its flight, even in GPS-contested or degraded environments. During the April 14 test, the missile successfully neutralized multiple target types, including a radar installation and a rotary-wing platform, showcasing its ability to engage diverse threats with surgical accuracy.

On the modern battlefield, the tactical advantages of PrSM are pronounced. As near-peer adversaries increasingly deploy integrated air defense systems and mobile high-value assets, the need for precision, speed, and survivability in long-range fires has become paramount. PrSM is designed specifically to penetrate advanced enemy defenses and destroy key enablers before they can threaten U.S. and allied forces. Its rapid deployability and compatibility with both wheeled (HIMARS) and tracked (M270A2) launch platforms allow commanders to tailor fire missions across various terrains and operational theaters.

The M270A2 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System), which was the platform used in the latest test, represents the most advanced iteration of the legacy M270 MLRS. This upgraded variant includes a new 600-horsepower engine, an improved armored cab for crew protection, and a Common Fire Control System (CFCS) that is fully interoperable with HIMARS. These enhancements enable the M270A2 to operate more reliably in high-threat and austere environments, while extending the system’s service life through at least 2050. Additionally, the CFCS allows the M270A2 to seamlessly fire not only PrSM but also other future munitions such as the Extended-Range Guided MLRS (ER GMLRS), thereby enhancing the launcher’s versatility and future-proofing its combat relevance.

Lockheed Martin’s continued development and testing of PrSM is supported by a recent production contract valued at up to $4.94 billion, underscoring the U.S. Army’s commitment to rapidly fielding this capability. With successful flight demonstrations already conducted in February and March 2025, the PrSM program is progressing steadily toward full operational deployment.

As threats in the Indo-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and other regions evolve, the ability to conduct deep fires at extended ranges with high precision is central to U.S. and allied deterrence and defense strategies. The integration of PrSM with platforms like the M270A2 equips commanders with a transformative weapon system that ensures overmatch in multi-domain operations and enhances the survivability and effectiveness of ground forces in future conflicts.