Lockheed Martin successfully test-fires Precision Strike Missile PrSM from M142 HIMARS.

Lockheed Martin successfully test-fires from M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) its next-generation long-range missile designed for the U.S. Army's Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. All objectives were achieved in the third and final flight demonstration as part of the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase of the program. Today's flawless performance follows a highly accurate inaugural flight last December and equally successful March 10 test event.

Lockheed Martin’s next-generation long-range missile demonstrates precision and reliability in its third consecutive test April 30, following a highly accurate demonstration March 10 and equally successful inaugural flight on Dec. 10, 2019, shown here. (Picture source Lockheed Martin)

PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) was fired from Lockheed Martin's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS™) launcher and flew approximately 85 kilometers to the target area, culminating in a highly accurate and lethal warhead event.

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is our next-generation, long-range precision-strike missile designed for the U.S. Army’s PrSM program. This new surface-to-surface weapon system will deliver enhanced capabilities to attack, neutralize, suppress and destroy targets using missile-delivered indirect fires out to 499+ kilometers. PrSM provides the Joint Force Commander with increased range, lethality, survivability and missile load out. These enhanced capabilities are critical to the successful execution of Fires in support of Multi-Domain Operations.

Lockheed Martin’s PrSM missile contains an insensitive munition (IM) propulsion system and IM energetic payload capable of defeating the PrSM target set. It also features an open systems architecture design for maximum affordability and flexibility, is modular for future growth and HIMARS and M270 compatible.

The M142 HIMARS is a highly mobile artillery rocket system similar to Russian MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) that was developed in 1996 by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. This artillery system is intended to engage and defeat artillery, air defence concentrations, trucks, and light armour and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations.

The HIMARS can fire the standard MLRS round, but also entire MLRS family of munitions, including the extended-range rocket, the reduced-range practice rocket and all future variants. It can also fire the extended range guided rocket GMLRS, with a range of more than 70 km. The HIMARS is also capable to fire the TACMS Tactical Missile with a maximum range of 300 km.

"Today's PrSM test, a highly stressful short-range shot, represents the third successful flight test proving the effectiveness, survivability and reliability of the tactical baseline missile," said Gaylia Campbell, vice president of Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

Test objectives included confirming flight trajectory, range and accuracy from launch to warhead event, as well as warhead lethality, HIMARS launcher integration and overall missile performance.

Last month, the success of PrSM's test flights, program execution and overall performance resulted in Lockheed Martin earning the privilege to move to the next phase and continue maturation of the next-generation long-range precision fires solution for the U.S. Army.

"We've validated the design and performance of our baseline tactical missile and are already working with our Army partner on Engineering Design Testing, production readiness and fielding requirements to support the future needs of the Soldier," Campbell said.

The next-generation precision-strike, surface-to-surface weapon system will deliver enhanced capabilities for attacking, neutralizing, suppressing and destroying targets at depth on the battlefield and gives field artillery units a new long-range capability while supporting brigade, division, corps, Army, theater, Joint and Coalition forces.

For more than 40 years, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has been the leading designer and manufacturer of long-range, surface-to-surface precision strike solutions providing highly reliable, combat-proven systems like MLRS, HIMARS, ATACMS and Guided MLRS to domestic and international customers.