Next-Gen PRSM Missile Is About to Give US Army Unprecedented Long-Range Firepower

For years, the Army's ATACMS missile has been the workhorse of precision long-range artillery. But it's showing its age, and the military has bigger ambitions. Enter the new PRSM - the Precision Strike Missile that is poised to become the premier deep-strike weapon in the US arsenal.

While the ATACMS has proven itself a valuable asset, recently playing a starring role in Ukraine's successful strikes against Russian helicopter bases, it has its limitations. The PRSM, developed by Lockheed Martin, aims to blow past those constraints with superior range, firepower and advanced capabilities.

In recent tests at White Sands Missile Range, the PRSM baseline variant fired from an M142 HIMARS launcher showcased its pinpoint accuracy and ability to rain destruction from over 300 miles away - nearly double the ATACMS range. And that's just the start. Future upgrades could see that reach extend past an eye-watering 600 miles.

But it's not just about going the distance. The PRSM is also a huge leap in terms of lethality and rate of fire. It can carry cluster munitions, releasing multiple bomblets over the target area to wreak wider havoc. And by packing two missiles into each pod instead of one, HIMARS crews can double their number of shots downrange.

For the Ukrainian military closely watching these developments, the prospect of the longer-ranged, harder-hitting PRSM must be tantalizing. Kyiv has effectively used the older ATACMS to strike high-value Russian assets like the Ka-52 Alligator helicopter fleet last October. Imagine the damage the more capable PRSM could unleash.

That said, actually acquiring the new American missile isn't currently in the cards for Ukraine. As it grapples with more immediate priorities, Kyiv is likely focused on securing further ATACMS from the US and partners for now. Every bit of long-range punch helps as Russia's invasion grinds on.

For the U.S. Army, however, the PRSM's arrival signals the start of a new era of precision long-range fires. With production ramping up to 30 missiles per month in 2023, soldiers can expect a steady stream of these new high-tech munitions to replace the aging ATACMS inventory.

But the PRSM roadmap extends well beyond just improved range and firepower. The Army also wants these missiles to eventually have the smarts to autonomously detect, track and strike moving targets on land and sea. Integrating ramjet engines could further extend the reach. Unmanned HIMARS trucks could launch volleys with no human crew.

With allies like Australia also investing in PRSM, this new long-range precision-fire capability is set to be a game-changer for U.S. forces and friendly militaries facing complex future battlespaces.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine reminds us, contemporary warfare requires the ability to strike targets across vast distances with utmost accuracy. With its revolutionary PRSM missile, the U.S. Army is determined to set a new standard in long-range lethality for years to come.