This Wednesday, December 11, it was reported that U.S. Army soldiers conducted a Limited User Test (LUT) of the new PrSM ballistic missile, marking a significant step forward toward its near-future deployment. The tests were carried out at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, marking the first time U.S. Army personnel have handled the system for a live-fire event of this nature.
According to details shared in an official statement by Lockheed Martin, two PrSM missiles were launched at long-range targets during the test. The statement affirmed that the successful tests demonstrate the readiness of the missile’s development. Notably, the U.S. Army employed HIMARS systems to carry out the trials, similar to tests conducted in November of the previous year, which evaluated the missile’s capabilities against short-range targets.
Regarding the tests, Carolyn Orzechowski, Vice President of Precision Fires and Missiles at Lockheed Martin, stated: “The PrSM program has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver precise and reliable performance (…) This milestone underscores the program’s maturity and reinforces the system’s reliability for our Army partner.”
It is worth recalling that the PrSM system is being developed to serve as the U.S. Army’s next-generation long-range precision missile, intended to replace the current ATACMS missile. In this regard, the PrSM stands out for its estimated range of over 400 kilometers and its modular design, which allows for various modifications as deemed appropriate for specific missions.
Finally, it should be noted that the ability to launch PrSM from HIMARS M142 and MLRS M270A2 systems provides a considerable degree of mobility, as these launchers have already been combat-tested. This flexibility enables the missiles to be launched from coastal positions, aligning with one of the U.S. Army’s objectives to use the PrSM against naval targets. This capability was successfully evaluated during the SINKEX Valiant Shield 24 Exercise held this past June.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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