Lockheed Martin Boosts PrSM Missile Output to 400 Per Year for U.S. Army

Lockheed Martin is significantly ramping up production of its next-generation Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), aiming to deliver up to 400 missiles annually to the U.S. Army. The move reflects escalating demand for long-range precision fires and comes as the PrSM program enters full-rate production following successful testing milestones and early fielding decisions.

PrSM: The U.S. Army’s Next-Generation Deep-Strike Weapon

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile designed to replace the aging MGM-140 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System). Developed under the Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) modernization priority, PrSM is launched from existing M270A2 MLRS and M142 HIMARS platforms without requiring hardware modifications.

Key baseline specifications include:

Range: >500 km (Increment 1), with future variants targeting >1000 km
Warhead: Unitary high-explosive; submunition variants under consideration
Launch Platforms: HIMARS and MLRS launchers
Guidance: GPS/INS with potential multi-mode seekers in future increments

The missile features an open systems architecture allowing for rapid upgrades and integration of advanced seekers or warheads. Its smaller size compared to ATACMS allows two PrSM rounds per pod versus one ATACMS per pod—effectively doubling launcher capacity.

Production Ramp-Up Driven by Strategic Demand Signals

According to recent statements from Lockheed Martin officials at AUSA 2025 and confirmed by U.S. Army acquisition leadership, annual PrSM production is scaling from current low-rate initial production (LRIP) levels toward a target of 400 missiles per year by FY2026. This follows a $220 million contract awarded in late FY2024 under LRIP Lot 3.

The ramp-up aligns with:

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s urgent need for long-range fires against peer adversaries like China.
NATO’s evolving deep-strike requirements in Europe amid Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine.
A shift toward dispersed operations where precision strike capability must be distributed across mobile launchers.

The increased output will be supported by Lockheed’s Camden Operations facility in Arkansas and additional supply chain investments across propulsion, guidance systems, and warhead manufacturing partners such as Aerojet Rocketdyne and Northrop Grumman.

Milestone Achievements Pave Way for Full-Rate Production

The decision to accelerate production follows a series of successful developmental tests conducted at White Sands Missile Range throughout FY2023–FY2024. These included:

A maximum-range flight test exceeding the INF Treaty-limited range (~499 km), now lifted post-U.S. withdrawal from INF in 2019.
Demonstrated compatibility with both HIMARS and MLRS launchers during live-fire events.
Validation of software updates enabling dynamic retargeting capabilities mid-flight.

The U.S. Army declared Early Operational Capability (EOC) achieved in late FY2024 after fielding initial operational missiles to select artillery brigades within I Corps and FORSCOM units aligned with Pacific posture objectives.

Incremental Upgrades on the Horizon: Seeking Greater Range & Target Discrimination

The current baseline—known as Increment 1—focuses on unitary warheads against fixed targets at ranges beyond ATACMS capabilities (~300 km). However, Lockheed Martin is concurrently developing Increment 2 variants featuring multi-mode seekers capable of engaging moving maritime targets or relocatable land-based threats such as mobile air defense systems or missile launchers.

This includes integration of:

A dual-mode seeker combining millimeter-wave radar with infrared or EO/IR sensors;
A networked targeting architecture enabling sensor-to-shooter links via Link-16 or other tactical datalinks;
An extended-range motor pushing range envelopes beyond ~700 km under classified parameters;
Potential loitering terminal phase options being explored under DARPA collaboration initiatives.

The Increment II prototype completed its first captive-carry test in Q3 FY2024 aboard a surrogate aircraft platform simulating seeker performance against maritime targets—a key requirement under INDOPACOM’s Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI).

Strategic Implications Across Global Theaters

The accelerated fielding of PrSM has significant implications across multiple combatant commands:

Pacific Theater – Counter-Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD)

With ranges exceeding traditional artillery but below strategic missiles like Tomahawk or JASSM-ER, PrSM fills a critical gap in countering Chinese A2/AD bubbles around Taiwan or South China Sea islands. Its mobility via HIMARS enables rapid deployment across island chains or allied territories such as Japan or Philippines under EABO concepts.

European Theater – NATO Deterrence Posture Enhancement

NATO allies are closely watching PrSM development as they seek alternatives to legacy ATACMS stocks donated to Ukraine. Poland has expressed interest through FMS channels; Australia has already signed on as an international partner via Project LAND8113 Phase II—a possible pathway toward co-production or licensed assembly down the line.

MDO Integration – Sensor-Fires Convergence

The open architecture design supports integration into Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) frameworks where ISR assets—from MQ-9s to satellites—can cue PrSM strikes within minutes via digital kill chains. This aligns directly with Multi-Domain Operations doctrine emphasizing convergence across space-air-land-cyber domains.

Sustainment Challenges and Industrial Base Resilience

Sustaining high-volume missile output poses industrial base challenges amid global supply chain constraints affecting microelectronics, energetic materials, and solid rocket motors. The Pentagon has allocated Defense Production Act Title III funds since FY2023 to expand domestic capacity for critical components such as rocket casings and guidance electronics substrates.

Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Camden plant has received over $30 million for motor line expansion while L3Harris Technologies is scaling seeker assembly throughput under a $75M DoD contract awarded in early FY2025 focused on optical sensor supply assurance.

Conclusion: A Cornerstone Capability Enters Maturity Phase

The transition of PrSM into full-rate production marks a pivotal moment in modernizing U.S. long-range fires capability amid intensifying great power competition. With scalable lethality options, modular upgrade paths, and high launcher density per battery—PrSM stands poised as a linchpin weapon system bridging tactical responsiveness with operational reach well into the next decade.