Engineering:Precision Strike Missile

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Short description: U.S. rocket artillery fired tactical ballistic missile
Precision Strike Missile
Prototype test flight of the PrSM on 10 December 2019, at the White Sands Missile Range[1]
TypeRocket artillery
Short-range ballistic missile
Medium-range ballistic missile
Anti-ship ballistic missile
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used by United States
 Australia
Wars
  • 2026 Iran war
Production history
DesignerLockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Unit cost< $3.5 million (Increment One)[2]
Specifications
Massunknown
Length13 ft (4.0 m)
Diameter17 in (430 mm)
Maximum firing range≥ 310 mi (500 km)
Warhead
  • HE fragmentation blast[3]
  • Unknown number of submunitions
    • Future iterations will possibly include Coyote drones and Hatchet miniature glide bombs from Northrop Grumman.[4]
Warhead weight200 lb (91 kg)
PropellantSolid-propellant rocket
Guidance
system
Base: INS + GPS
Land-based anti-ship missile: Base + anti-radiation seeker + Imaging Infrared (IIR)[5]
Launch
platform
M270 MLRS, M142 HIMARS, GMARS

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM; PRI-zim) is a series of ballistic missiles, both short- and later medium-range developed by Lockheed Martin to replace the MGM-140 ATACMS. The early variant of this missile, Increment One, is currently in service with both the United States Army and Australian Army, with Australia being a partner in the program. Later variants, notably the Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile (LBASM), will have an anti-ship targeting capability, with further variants introducing new payloads and ranges.

The Precision Strike Missile is currently only capable of being fired from the M142 HIMARS launcher; although plans are being explored to make the missile capable of being fired from surface ships through the Mark 41 vertical launching system. Australia and the United States are currently the only nations that possess the missile. Norway's request for export being denied, while the United Kingdom is considering purchasing it.

The PrSM, along with other American and Australian missiles, is planned to be manufactured at a complex in Australia, augmenting domestic production in the United States. The missile was first used in combat by the United States during the 2026 Iran war.[6][7]

Development

A concept design for the Precision Strike Missile

In March 2016, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon announced they would bid on a missile to meet the US Army's Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) requirement to replace the ATACMS. The PrSM will use advanced propulsion technology to fly faster and farther (originally out to 310 mi or 500 km).[8] It is also designed to be thinner and sleeker, increasing the number of missiles per pod to two, and doubling the capacity of the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS launchers.[9] Boeing and Raytheon were involved in the competitive effort, but both left the competition in early 2020, leaving Lockheed Martin to develop the missile.[10] The weapon was planned to achieve initial operational capability in 2023; the initial PrSM will only be able to hit stationary targets on land, but later versions will track moving targets on land and sea.[11] With the United States withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the range of the PrSM is to be increased beyond the 310 mi (500 km) limitation imposed by the treaty.[12]

In June 2020, the Army had begun testing a new multi-mode seeker, an upgrade for the Precision Strike Missile. The upgraded seeker is expected[when?] to be part of a major program improvement planned for 2025.[13] Technological advancements including the potential application of ramjet technology could extend the weapon's range up to 620 mi (1,000 km).[14]

In July 2021, the US announced that Australia had become a partner in the PrSM Program with the Australian Army signing a memorandum of understanding for Increment 2 (Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile) of the program with the US Army's Defense Exports and Cooperation and had contributed US$54 million.[15][16] In January 2024, Australia committed to continue the partnership with the United States and will subsequently also purchase PrSM Increments 3 and 4.[17] This will extend the range of Australia's PrSM missiles beyond 1,000 km (620 mi) and will potentially rival Australia's longest range missile, the BGM-109 Tomahawk.[18] In June 2025, the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States to jointly develop the missile.[19]

Precision Strike Missile launching from an M142 HIMARS

The United Kingdom, as part of an upgrade to the British Army's M270 MLRS to the M270A2 standard, has hinted that it may possibly acquire PrSM.[20]

On 8 December 2023, the US Army announced that the first PrSM batch had been delivered.[21]

On 17 June 2024, the decommissioned Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist. missing name was sunk as a target ship in the North Pacific Ocean's Mariana Island Range Complex, apparently in the first test of the PrSM on a moving target.[22]

On 26 August 2024, it was announced that the US has turned down a request from Norway to acquire the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).[23]

On 23 January 2025, the Baltic Defence Cooperation Ministerial Committee expressed the common interest of the Baltic States in the acquisition of the HIMARS Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) by signing the Joint Statement.[24]

Usage

In March 2026, U.S. Central Command released images of an M142 HIMARS employing the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in strikes on Iranian military targets during Operation Epic Fury, marking PrSM's first confirmed combat use.[25]

Iran's state news agency, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), reported 21 people killed, in a missile strike on the Iranian city of Lamerd on 28 February 2026. The New York Times and BBC both reported that PrSMs were the weapon used.[26][27]

Variants

The PrSM has four "increments" either in development or to be developed.

Increment One

Increment One is the current missile in use by the United States Army. It has a treaty-bound range of 310 mi (500 km), and does not contain a multi-mode seeker.[28] It is gradually replacing the MGM-140 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. Australia operates this variant as of July 2025.[29]

Land Based Anti-Ship Missile (Inc 2)

Increment Two of the PrSM is known officially as the Land Based Anti-Ship Missile. LBASM features a multi-mode seeker, unlike Increment One, enabling it to traverse area denied areas with more ease.[30] As LBASM was in development following the US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, its range is to be increased beyond the previous 310 mi (500 km) threshold, up to an expected 620 mi (1,000 km) range, as well as increasing the speed of the missile.[31] As the name suggests, the LBASM will be an anti-ship ballistic missile, and in collaboration with the multi-mode seeker will have the ability to engage moving targets.[32] It is understood that the first procurement of the missile is to be completed in FY2028, with the United States Marine Corps then receiving them.[32]

LBASM is in a contest with a domestic system, StrikeMaster, firing Naval Strike Missile for an Australian coastal defence system contract.[33]

A first live test was conducted in 2024.[34]

Increment Three

The US Army's proposed modular payload project for the Precision Strike Missile Increment 3

Increment Three of the missile will include most of the same technology of Increments One and Two. Its main addition is to be the extension of the variety of armaments for the missile can carry, with it likely carrying more explosive munitions.[35] For Increment Three it is to be designed for use as an anti-fortification weapon, likely being able to destroy more structures.[35] There is no information available as to when Increment Three is to be procured by the United States Armed Forces or the Australian Army. However it is believed they will be made available following Increments one, two and four.[36] According to Lockheed Martin, a new warhead will be included in Increment Three, and the Army is looking at including submunition capabilities, including the Raytheon Coyote drone family and the Orbital ATK Hatchet miniature glide bomb.[4]

Increment Four

Increment Four has a focus on the extension of the range of the missile, whilst containing most of the technology of Increments One, Two, and likely Three. Four will aim to extend the range beyond the 310 mi (500 km) range of Increment One, as well as the 620 mi (1,000 km) range of Increment Two.[35] It will advance the technology of propulsion, and aerodynamics to achieve this range.[35] Increment Four is currently being competed for contracts by; Lockheed Martin, as well as a combined Raytheon-Northrop Grumman team.[37]

Increment Five

In December 2024, the director of the Long-Range Precision Fires Cross Functional Team, Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, separately explained that initial work on a fifth increment is underway, and a science and technology development initiative will kick-off in fiscal year 2026. The idea, he explained, is to design a missile that can be fired from an autonomous vehicle. "If you’re familiar with an [M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System] MLRS pod, it's about 13-feet long [4 meters]", the one-star general told the audience. "If you have something without a cab, that’s autonomous, you might be able to employ something longer than that."[38]

Operators

Current operators

 Australia
  •  Australian Army – Australia intends to domestically manufacture PrSM missiles within the next 10 years, on top of initial imports of the missile from the United States.[39] In June 2025, the Australian government signed a Memorandum of Understanding for PrSM production, sustainment and follow-on development.[40] In July 2025, Australia test fired one of their first PrSM Increment 1's during Exercise Talisman Sabre.[29]
 United States

Future operators

 United States

Failed bids

 Norway – US denied sale of PrSM and ER-GMLRS.[41] M142 HIMARS systems have however been approved.[42]

See also

  • OpFires – DARPA's experimental hypersonic glide vehicle medium-range ballistic missile program
  • Nightfall (missile)

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "US Army Precision Strike Missile breaks range record". Defense News. 12 May 2021. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/05/12/armys-precision-strike-missile-breaks-range-record/. 
  2. ↑ Muczyński, Rafał (2024-12-14). "The US Army is independently testing PrSM ballistic missiles" (in en-US). https://milmag.pl/en/the-us-army-is-independently-testing-prsm-ballistic-missiles/. 
  3. ↑ "Raytheon conducts first arena test of DeepStrike warhead". 2019-05-23. https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/raytheon-conducts-first-arena-test-of-deepstrike-warhead. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Trevithick, Joseph (30 April 2025). "PrSM Ballistic Missiles Loaded With Coyote Drones, Hatchet Mini Smart Bombs Eyed By Army". https://www.twz.com/land/prsm-ballistic-missiles-loaded-with-coyote-drones-hatchet-mini-smart-bombs-eyed-by-army. 
  5. ↑ "Lockheed Martin starts building early versions of land-based PRSM precision missile with multi-mode guidance". 7 November 2023. https://www.militaryaerospace.com/sensors/article/14301135/multi-mode-guidance-precision-missile. 
  6. ↑ Welch, Carley (4 March 2026). "US military uses PrSM for first time in combat, says CENTCOM". https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/centcom-confirms-first-combat-use-of-prsm-in-iran/. 
  7. ↑ Thomas, Merlyn; Jalali, Sarah; Sardarizadeh, Shayan (28 March 2026). "Video shows US missile likely used in deadly strike on Iranian town, experts say". BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx29mzmwdw2o. 
  8. ↑ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (26 April 2016). "Winning The Missile Wars: Army & Navy Tech In HASC NDAA". Breaking Media, Inc.. http://breakingdefense.com/2016/04/winning-the-missile-wars-army-navy-tech-in-hasc-ndaa/. 
  9. ↑ Keller, John (16 March 2016). "Raytheon to help Army develop new long-range artillery rocket for battlefield fire-support". http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2016/03/artillery-rocket-fire-support.html. 
  10. ↑ Judson, Jen (11 October 2021). "US Army's Precision Strike Missile gets green light for development, readies for big test". https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/10/11/us-armys-precision-strike-missile-gets-green-light-for-development-readies-for-big-test/. 
  11. ↑ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (23 March 2018). "Army Will Field 100 Km Cannon, 500 Km Missiles: LRPF CFT". https://breakingdefense.com/2018/03/army-will-field-100-km-cannon-500-km-missiles-lrpf-cft/. 
  12. ↑ Lee, Connie (16 October 2019). "Army to Extend Range of Precision Strike Missile". https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2019/10/16/army-to-extend-range-of-precision-strike-missile. 
  13. ↑ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (4 June 2020). "Army Tests PrSM Seeker To Hunt Ships & SAMs". https://breakingdefense.com/2020/06/army-tests-prsm-seeker-to-hunt-ships-sams/. 
  14. ↑ Roque, Ashley (13 May 2022). "US Army conducts 'static' test with ramjet for future Precision Strike Missile". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-army-conducts-static-test-with-ramjet-for-future-precision-strike-missile. Retrieved 11 November 2022. 
  15. ↑ Vandermaarel, Cathy (28 July 2021). "US and Australian Defense Departments to partner on precision fires". https://www.dasadec.army.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2710812/us-and-australian-defense-departments-to-partner-on-precision-fires/. 
  16. ↑ Dutton, Peter (12 August 2021). "Australia and US partner to spearhead precision strike missile capability". https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2021-08-12/australia-and-us-partner-spearhead-precision-strike-missile-capability. 
  17. ↑ "Australia Commits To Precision Strike Missile Increments 3, 4". https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/australia-commits-precision-strike-missile-increments-3-4. 
  18. ↑ "Missiles to power up ADF's range". 21 August 2023. https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-08-21/missiles-power-adfs-range. 
  19. ↑ "Australia inks MoU with the US to develop Precision Strike Missile". Breaking Defense. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/australia-inks-mou-with-the-us-to-develop-precision-strike-missile. 
  20. ↑ "Upgrades to Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Strengthen Deep Fires Capability". British Army. 31 March 2021. https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2021/03/mlrs-upgrade-agreement/. Retrieved 18 March 2022. 
  21. ↑ Judson, Jen (2023-12-08). "US Army receives first long-range Precision Strike Missiles". https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/12/08/us-army-receives-first-long-range-precision-strike-missiles/. 
  22. ↑ "US soldiers just put the Army's new Precision Strike Missile to the test against a moving sea target in the Pacific". Business Insider via MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-soldiers-just-put-the-army-s-new-precision-strike-missile-to-the-test-against-a-moving-sea-target-in-the-pacific/ar-BB1oOhY7. 
  23. ↑ Schwenke, Ylva (26 August 2024). "USA sier nei til norsk kjøp av nytt langdistanse-missil". https://www.forsvaretsforum.no/forsvarsmateriell-lockheed-martin-missil/usa-sier-nei-til-norsk-kjop-av-nytt-langdistanse-missil/392078. 
  24. ↑ "JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE BALTIC DEFENCE COOPERATION MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE". Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania. https://kam.lt/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/3B-Komunikatas.pdf. 
  25. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (2026-03-01). "America's New PrSM Ballistic Missile Just Made Its Combat Debut" (in en-US). https://www.twz.com/land/americas-new-prsm-ballistic-missile-just-made-its-combat-debut-in-iran-strikes. 
  26. ↑ "Video shows US missile likely used in deadly strike on Iranian town, experts say" (in en-GB). 2026-03-28. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx29mzmwdw2o. 
  27. ↑ Triebert, Christiaan; Ismay, John (2026-03-30). "New U.S. Missile Hit Iranian Sports Hall and School, Analysis Shows" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/world/middleeast/us-precision-strike-missile-iran-lamerd.html. 
  28. ↑ Roque, Ashley (2023-12-08). "Lockheed begins delivering long-range PrSM Increment 1 to Army" (in en-US). https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2023/12/lockheed-begins-delivering-prsm-inc-1-to-army/. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Malyasov, Dylan (2025-07-27). "Australia tests long-range PrSM missile" (in en-US). https://defence-blog.com/australia-tests-long-range-prsm-missile/. 
  30. ↑ Bisht, Inder Singh (2024-05-14). "US Army Issues Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 Requirements" (in en-us). https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/05/14/us-army-precision-missile-2/. 
  31. ↑ "Army issues sources-sought notice for PrSM Increment 2 | InsideDefense.com". https://insidedefense.com/insider/army-issues-sources-sought-notice-prsm-increment-2. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 (PrSM Inc 2)" (in en). https://govtribe.com/opportunity/federal-contract-opportunity/precision-strike-missile-increment-2-prsm-inc-2-w314q23r0037. 
  33. ↑ Staff, Naval News (2024-12-06). "Australia looks to NSM and PrSM for Army Anti-Ship Capability" (in en-US). https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/12/australia-looks-to-nsm-and-prsm-army-anti-ship-capability/. 
  34. ↑ "U.S. Army Conducts First Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile SINKEX using PrSM". 23 June 2024. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/06/u-s-army-conducts-first-anti-ship-ballistic-missile-sinkex-using-prsm/. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 Abaire, Olawale (2024-03-19). "Army Adds Payload, Seeker & Range Improvements to Its Precision-Strike Missile" (in en). https://warriormaven.com/land/army-adds-payload-seeker-range-improvements-to-its-precision-strike-missile. 
  36. ↑ Roque, Ashley (2023-03-27). "Army taps teams to build new Precision Strike Missile for targets beyond 1,000 km" (in en-US). https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2023/03/army-taps-teams-to-build-new-precision-strike-missile-for-targets-beyond-1000-km/. 
  37. ↑ Ferguson, Gregor (2023-12-17). "Lockheed Martin delivers first Precision Strike Missiles to US Army - EX2 for Defence Innovators" (in en-US). https://www.ex2.com.au/news/lockheed-martin-delivers-first-precision-strike-missiles-to-us-army/. 
  38. ↑ https://breakingdefense.com/2024/12/army-eyeing-new-prsm-inc-5-weapon-to-fire-from-autonomous-launchers-beyond-1000-km/
  39. ↑ Dougherty, Robert (2025-06-06). "Australia, United States announce agreement on Precision Strike Missile production" (in en-gb). https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/industry/16186-australia-united-states-announce-agreement-on-precision-strike-missile-production. 
  40. ↑ Marles MP, Hon Richard (6 June 2025). "Australia signs long-range precision strike missile agreement with the United States". https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2025-06-06/australia-signs-long-range-precision-strike-missile-agreement-united-states. 
  41. ↑ "U.S. denies sale of PrSM and ER GMLRS missiles to Norway" (in en). 2024-08-26. https://defence-industry.eu/u-s-denies-sale-of-prsm-and-er-gmlrs-missiles-to-norway/. 
  42. ↑ "The U.S. Denies Norway PrSM Missiles | TURDEF" (in en). 2024-08-26. https://turdef.com/article/the-u-s-denies-norway-prsm-missiles. 

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