Tactical missiles are relied upon by navy forces world wide, and the U.S. Military’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) handed a sequence of necessary assessments in late September 2025. 4 of the Lockheed Martin-built ground-to-ground missiles have been launched at targets 200km (124 miles) away on White Sands Missile Vary in New Mexico and a submit on the U.S. Military web site states that the missiles “met all targets for vary, trajectory, accuracy, and peak of burst.”
The PrSM is slated to exchange the Military MGM-140 Tactical Missile System (ATACMS); each could be launched from truck-based HIMARS (HIgh-Mobility Artillery Rocket System) or tracked M270 missile launchers. Take a look at variations of the PrSM have been launched from a HIMARS in December 2024 and an M270A2 in April 2025. PrSM missiles are housed in launcher pods that carry two missiles every — a HIMARS launcher carries one pod and the M270 can pack two. The older ATACMS launchers might solely maintain one missile in every pod, however HIMARS’ potential to hold twice the firepower with PrSM is just one benefit to the improve.
Learn extra: 11 Of The Most Iconic Floor Assault Navy Planes In Historical past
Elevated missile vary retains troopers secure
PrSM missile being launched into clear sky – Lockheed Martin
The PrSM guarantees to be efficient and correct over a for much longer distance than its predecessor, which makes the current assessments necessary. Early ATACMS methods have been good at as much as 100km (62 miles), however present ones have a spread of round 300km (186.4 miles). PrSM missiles might sometime precisely strike targets as far-off as 400 km (about 248.5 miles); they’re the most recent in a line of long-range missiles that started with the Chilly Conflict-era Lance system. HIMARS launchers can maintain six extremely correct Guided a number of Launch Rockets or one long-range tactical missile, and PrSM permits HIMARS crews to fireplace from positions additional away from enemies than they might with the outgoing ATACMS system.
That is a right away method to scale back threat of personnel and gear loss, and higher vary means higher accuracy at shorter distances. Lockheed Martin reached out to Northrop Grumman to construct rocket motors for PrSM missiles, and the brand new propulsion system was examined in early 2022. On the time, Northrop Grumman VP of missile merchandise Rebecca Torzone made the declare that “Our new motor delivers enhanced efficiency that interprets to elevated weapon load out and standoff for our warfighters” One other of the PrSM’s necessary options will assist meet those self same two objectives.
The PrSM is usually a drone slinger
Raytheon Coyote drone on show desk in launcher – Raytheon
Drones are more and more turning into extra necessary to navy forces world wide, prompting an array of anti-drone techniques. Ukraine’s civil air patrol is utilizing WWII-era prop planes to take out Russian drones, and Germany is relying on the Skyranger ground-to-air turret. The U.S. navy has relied on drones closely in current conflicts, and the PrSM will assist increase its offensive and defensive drone capabilities. The PrSM is presently able to launching anti-drone weaponry and could possibly be tailored to launch assault drones just like the Raytheon Coyote pictured above. These craft could possibly be loaded with Northrop Grumman’s Hatchet bombs, which weigh about 6 kilos and have GPS focusing on capabilities.
These extremely maneuverable weapons even have adaptive fusing to optimize detonation timing, and so they’ll enable forces to assault with smaller drones whereas boosting the firepower of bigger ones. Launching drones with the brand new PrSM HIMARS missile launchers is a two-layered technique to maintain troopers and pilots out of hurt’s manner whereas enhancing their potential to succeed in far-away targets. Northrop Grumman additionally says it’s going to proceed to develop the Hatchet’s focusing on system, which is already correct to underneath 2m (about 6 toes 7 inches). If these weapons could be reliably delivered to targets a pair hundred miles away, the U.S. navy might have a definite edge on the trendy battlefield.
Need the most recent in tech and auto traits? Subscribe to our free e-newsletter for the most recent headlines, professional guides, and how-to suggestions, one e mail at a time. You can too add us as a most well-liked search supply on Google.
Learn the authentic article on SlashGear.
