WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army has reached a significant milestone in its modernization efforts with the delivery of the first Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), according to an announcement made on December 8. These missiles, which will replace the Army Tactical Missile System, have achieved Early Operational Capability after successful production qualification testing at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico in November.

The PrSM program is one of the Army's 24 major modernization programs scheduled to be implemented by the end of 2023. It is a key technology within the service's long-range precision fires portfolio, specifically designed to counter the enemy's combat maneuver and air defense operations on a 24/7, all-weather basis.

Doug Bush, the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology, emphasized the importance of the rapid development and delivery of the Precision Strike Missile increment. He stated that this accomplishment exemplifies the Army's aggressive use of new acquisition authorities, granted by Congress, to ensure improved equipment reaches soldiers in a timely manner.

The PrSM can be launched from both the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System. This capability is particularly significant as the Army seeks to counter Russian and Chinese technologies with a deep-strike capability. U.S. commanders based in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of this capability.

Originally, the PrSM program was a competition between Lockheed Martin and RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies). However, RTX encountered difficulties in preparing the weapon for flight tests, leading to the Army and RTX mutually ending their efforts in March 2020. Lockheed Martin continued with the development and flight testing for the first increment of the PrSM.

In September 2021, the Army approved the PrSM program to move into the engineering and manufacturing development phase. Lockheed Martin was awarded a $62 million contract for early operational capability production, followed by an additional $158 million contract a year later.

Future enhancements for the PrSM include an enhanced seeker, increased lethality, extended range, and a maritime ship-killing capability. Lockheed Martin and a team consisting of RTX and Northrop Grumman will compete for the subsequent phases of the PrSM program. RTX was awarded a $97.7 million contract in February 2023 to further develop its design for the Long Range Maneuverable Fires program, which will eventually become the PrSM Increment 4 effort.

In October 2021, the U.S. Army conducted a successful long-range flight test of the PrSM, with the missile believed to have exceeded the current range requirement of 499 kilometers (310 miles). The withdrawal of the U.S. from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia in 2019 has allowed the Army to develop missiles with extended ranges.

The delivery of the first Precision Strike Missiles represents a significant step forward for the U.S. Army's modernization efforts. With this advanced capability, the Army is better equipped to counter evolving threats and meet the needs of Joint Force commanders. The Army's aggressive acquisition strategy and partnership with defense industry leaders demonstrate its commitment to providing soldiers with the most effective and cutting-edge equipment available.