Lockheed Martin to Supply U.S. Army with 400 Next-Gen PrSM Missiles as Successor to ATACMS.

On March 28, 2025, the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal awarded Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling value of $4.9 billion. This major contract begins with a delivery order for 400 Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 systems, marking a significant step forward in enhancing the U.S. Army’s long-range precision strike capability.
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A U.S. Army M142 HIMARS launches a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) during a test at White Sands Missile Range. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program was launched to replace the aging MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a legacy system that had reached the limits of its upgrade potential. Lockheed Martin was selected as the program's primary contractor in 2016 to deliver a next-generation missile system offering superior range, accuracy, and lethality. The first successful test of the PrSM occurred on December 10, 2019, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, validating the core design and propulsion system. Subsequent tests, including a notable dual-missile launch from HIMARS in February 2025, demonstrated the missile’s readiness for full-rate production. Additionally, a 2024 test in the Pacific successfully proved the missile’s ability to engage moving maritime targets, showcasing its adaptability in joint all-domain operations.

The PrSM Increment 1 delivers significantly enhanced destruction capabilities. It is designed to strike a broad set of targets including integrated air defense systems, mobile missile launchers, enemy command posts, and hardened infrastructure. Equipped with an insensitive munition (IM) energetic payload, the missile balances safety with high lethality. Its advanced navigation and guidance system integrates inertial navigation and GPS augmentation, ensuring high-precision strike capability even in GPS-denied or degraded environments.

Technically, the PrSM is approximately 4 meters in length with a diameter of 430 millimeters. A major improvement over the ATACMS is its compatibility with existing U.S. Army launchers—each pod in both the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) can house two PrSMs. In contrast, these launchers could only carry a single ATACMS per pod. This effectively doubles the launch capacity per volley, enabling more rapid and sustained firepower on high-value targets.

One of the most critical advantages of the PrSM over its predecessor is its range. While ATACMS had a maximum range of around 300 kilometers, the PrSM Increment 1 can reach distances exceeding 500 kilometers. Future iterations of the missile are expected to push this envelope even further, with some estimates suggesting ranges could eventually reach up to 1,000 kilometers. This significant extension in strike reach allows commanders to engage deep targets while minimizing risk to frontline units.

Since its inception, the PrSM program has been a cornerstone of the U.S. Army’s Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) modernization strategy. It reflects the Army’s goal to restore overmatch against near-peer adversaries by fielding systems that are not only more lethal but also more flexible and survivable. The system’s development has also been shaped by lessons learned in recent conflicts and the increasing demand for deep strike options in multi-domain battle scenarios.

The first operational delivery of PrSMs occurred in December 2023, and the system is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2025. As the U.S. Army transitions from ATACMS to PrSM, it will benefit from a significant leap in capability—both in terms of volume of fire and battlefield effectiveness.

The $4.9 billion contract awarded to Lockheed Martin not only secures large-scale production of these advanced missiles but also cements the company's role as a critical partner in the Army’s modernization efforts. This investment demonstrates the U.S. Army’s commitment to fielding state-of-the-art precision fires to maintain strategic deterrence and enable rapid, decisive action in future conflicts. With the PrSM, the Army is positioning itself to respond effectively to current and emerging threats, ensuring it remains a dominant force in long-range fires for decades to come.