US Army boosts maritime targeting capabilities with Precision Strike Missile program.

In December 2024, the U.S. Army achieved to enhance its maritime targeting capabilities with the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). Successful flight tests of the PrSM's multimode seeker system and its integration with the Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile (LBASM) open new possibilities for naval defense.
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  PrSM 1, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a short-range ballistic missile with a launch range of 37 to 311 miles (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

The PrSM 1, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a short-range ballistic missile with a launch range of 37 to 311 miles. It is designed to replace aging tactical missiles in the U.S. Army's arsenal, including the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). This missile is engineered to target a diverse array of objectives, including moving warships, leveraging its advanced multimode seeker system.

James Kirsch, the director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, stated, "One of our most significant achievements this year has been the successful conclusion of our LBASM science and technology program, which will serve as the seeker for the PrSM Increment 2. We are currently transferring this data to the project office and making arrangements for continued expertise provision."

The PrSM Increment 2 is a critical component of the U.S. Army's maritime targeting weapons, which also include the Mid-Range Capability system and the in-development Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system. With the PrSM, the Army strengthens its capabilities for targeting moving objects, a crucial aspect in today's international security landscape.

In December 2023, the Army warmly received the first delivery of the next-generation Precision Strike Missile (PrSM 1). Designed for short-range, surface-to-surface operations, the PrSM is intended to replace the current MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), known for its power but aging. It can be launched from various platforms, including the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System.

What sets the PrSM apart is its multimode seeker system. It includes a passive radio-frequency seeker and an imaging infrared seeker, enabling it to detect and precisely target moving objects. The missile uses GPS satellite navigation and inertial navigation to approach its target area, then utilizes the seeker to refine its accuracy and locate the target before impact.

This multimode capability enhances the missile's resistance to electronic interference while allowing it to target enemy air defense radars and communication nodes, enhancing its versatility on the battlefield.

The PrSM's 250-mile range easily surpasses the maximum distance that any ATACMS variant can travel, which is a maximum of 186 miles with a unitary warhead. The new missile also doubles the volume of fire for a HIMARS launch pod, which can hold two PrSMs as opposed to just a single ATACMS munition.

Development of the PrSM began in 2015, and it is expected to be operational by 2025 or 2026. These advancements mark a significant step forward in strengthening the U.S. Army's capabilities to address current and future challenges in maritime security.