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Lockheed Martin has successfully tested its next-generation long-range strike missile under the Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
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Lockheed advised that all objectives were achieved in a flawless second performance following the missile’s inaugural flight last December.
“Today’s flight test further demonstrated the reliability, precision and critical capabilities Lockheed Martin is building into the PrSM,” said Gaylia Campbell, vice president of precision fires and combat maneuver systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
“The missile performed exactly as expected and successfully engaged the target with pinpoint accuracy.”
The precision strike missile was fired from Lockheed's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher and flew a trajectory approximately 180 kilometres to the target area, in a display of accuracy and lethality.
The objective of the test included confirming the missile's trajectory, range and accuracy, testing the lethality of the warhead, as well as the interaction with the HIMARS launch system and the overall performance of the missile.
“This second consecutive successful flight test of Lockheed Martin’s PrSM validates our missile technology and confidence that Lockheed Martin is uniquely positioned to deliver this important, cost-effective capability to meet our US Army customer’s priorities,” Campbell said.
The next-generation precision-strike, surface-to-surface weapon system will deliver enhanced capabilities for attacking, neutralising, suppressing and destroying targets at depth on the battlefield and give field artillery units a new long-range capability while supporting brigade, division, corps, Army, theater, joint and coalition forces.
Australia has previously tested the HIMARS system during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. Members of the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force demonstrated the HIRAIN capability to their Australian counterparts.
Marines from 3rd Marine Division loaded two HIMARS onto two US Air Force MC-130J Commando II aircraft assigned to 353rd Special Operations Group, and soldiers from the US Army's Multi Domain Task Force from 2nd Infantry Division loaded two HIMARS onto two US Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152.
They were unloaded to rapidly conduct fire missions, then reloaded and relocated to further objectives. The method minimises detection and counter fire missions after use.
