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Lockheed Martin PrSM

Lockheed Martin · Ballistic · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is an American surface-to-surface ballistic missile — Lockheed Martin's US Army successor to the ATACMS + a major new long-range fires weapon. Lockheed Martin developed the PrSM in 2017-2023 under the US Army's Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) programme; service entry December 2023. The missile is the principal current US Army surface-to-surface ballistic weapon for the M142 HIMARS + M270A2 MLRS launchers.

The PrSM Increment 1 (current variant) uses 1 × solid-fuel rocket motor. Maximum range 499 km (deliberately kept just under the 500 km INF-treaty threshold for political acceptability, even though the INF Treaty was suspended in 2019). Length 4 m, weight 1,500 kg. Warhead: unitary HE-fragmentation. Guidance: GPS + INS + (Increment 2) seeker-equipped for moving-target / maritime-strike. The key innovation over ATACMS: 2 × PrSM rounds fit in a single MLRS / HIMARS launcher pod (vs 1 × ATACMS per pod) — doubling fire density per launcher. Increment 2 variants planned: long-range maritime strike, lethal payload increment, + counter-A2/AD increment.

PrSM service entry was December 2023 with the US Army 1st Multi-Domain Task Force receiving initial-issue rounds. The first combat-ready PrSM battalion stood up in 2024 in the Pacific Indo-Pacific theatre (Hawaii / Guam) — Lockheed Martin + the US Army positioned PrSM as the principal land-based standoff weapon for the Pacific. Australia + UK + Sweden ordered PrSMs in 2023-2024. Ukraine reportedly received PrSMs in late 2024 (after extended US deliberation). Production rate is ramping to 400+ rounds/year; total US Army inventory goal is ~5,000 rounds by 2030.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, is an American rocket that the Army fires at targets far away. Lockheed Martin built it for the United States Army. It entered service in December 2023.

The PrSM can travel up to 499 kilometers. That is farther than the distance from New York City to Boston — and back! It uses a solid-fuel rocket motor to fly that far with great accuracy.

The missile is launched from vehicles called HIMARS and MLRS. These are truck-like launchers that soldiers use in the field. The PrSM is heavier than a small car, weighing about 1,500 kilograms.

One big improvement is how many missiles fit in a launcher pod. Two PrSM rockets fit where only one older ATACMS rocket could fit before. That means soldiers can fire twice as many rockets without needing extra vehicles.

Future versions of the PrSM will be able to find and hit moving targets. Engineers are also working on versions that can strike targets at sea. The PrSM is one of the most important long-range rockets in the American Army today.

Fun Facts

The PrSM can hit a target nearly 500 kilometers away — that is farther than driving across an entire small country!
Two PrSM missiles fit inside one launcher pod, which is twice as many as the older ATACMS rocket.
The missile weighs about 1,500 kilograms — heavier than a small car!
The PrSM is about 4 meters long, which is longer than a standard sedan car.
Lockheed Martin spent about six years building and testing the PrSM before it was ready for the Army.
The PrSM officially joined the American Army in December 2023.
Future versions of the PrSM will be able to track and hit targets that are moving, even on the ocean.

Kids’ Questions

What does the PrSM do?

The PrSM is a long-range rocket that the American Army uses to hit faraway targets with great accuracy. It is guided by GPS so it can find exactly where it needs to go. It carries an explosive charge to destroy its target.

How is the PrSM better than the older ATACMS rocket?

Two PrSM rockets fit in the same pod that used to hold only one ATACMS rocket. This means soldiers can fire twice as many rockets from the same launcher. That makes the Army much more powerful without needing extra trucks or vehicles.

What launches the PrSM?

The PrSM is fired from special military vehicles called HIMARS and MLRS. These are large wheeled or tracked launchers that soldiers use on the battlefield. They can move quickly and fire the missile from many different locations.

Will the PrSM get any upgrades in the future?

Yes! Future versions will be able to find and hit targets that are moving, even ships at sea. Engineers are working on new types that can do even more jobs for the Army. These upgraded versions are called Increment 2 and beyond.

Variants

Increment 1 (2023): 499 km range + unitary warhead. Current production.
Increment 2 (2027 planned): Maritime-strike seeker + extended range.
Increment 3 (2028+ planned): Lethal payload + counter-A2/AD.

Notable Operators

US Army (2023-present): Principal operator. Indo-Pacific theatre priority.
Australia + UK + Sweden (ordered): Export deliveries from 2025-2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is PrSM range exactly 499 km?

The INF Treaty (1987-2019) banned all US + Soviet land-based missiles with range 500-5,500 km. While the US suspended INF compliance in 2019 + the treaty effectively died, the US Army deliberately kept the PrSM at 499 km for two reasons: (1) political — to avoid making PrSM a symbol of INF-treaty abandonment that allies might politically reject, + (2) export-controllability — many INF-era export restrictions persist in MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) language, + 499 km keeps PrSM exportable to NATO + Indo-Pacific allies without additional review. Increment 2 PrSMs may exceed 499 km when service-entry permits.

Sources

Wikipedia — Precision Strike Missile