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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced that the US military will attempt to field long-range missiles capable of striking moving land and maritime targets by 2027.
Hegseth made the announcement earlier this week as he expanded on plans to achieve electromagnetic and air-littoral dominance in the same time frame.
In addition, he elaborated on plans tasked to the US Army to field unmanned systems and ground/air launched effects in every division by the end of 2026.
“The president gave us a clear mission: achieve peace through strength,” he said in a Pentagon memo addressing US Army transformation and acquisition reform.
“To achieve this, the United States Army must prioritise defending our homeland and deterring China in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Deterring war, and if required, winning on the rapidly evolving battlefield requires soldiers who are physically and mentally resilient, rigorously trained, and equipped with the best technology available.”
In addition, there are plans for the US Army to extend advanced manufacturing, including 3D printing and additive manufacturing, to operational units by 2026.
The Australian Defence Force and the United States Armed Forces have previously announced a partnership to develop the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) co-development program for advance long-range precision fire capabilities.
PrSM surface-to-surface, all weather, precision strike guided missiles are expected to be able to destroy, neutralise and suppress targets at ranges from 70 kilometres to more than 400km.
The Australian Army’s head of Land Capability, Major General Simon Stuart, said the precision strike guided missile will provide the Joint Force Commander with long range and deep strike capability from the land.
“Increment two of the program, committed under the MOU, will seek to incorporate technology that allows ships and air defence systems to be engaged,” MAJGEN Stuart said.
