AFC Chief Says Army Lost Contact With Precision Strike Missile at 499 Km

Gen. Mike Murray, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Futures Command, said the service lost contact with the Precision Strike Missile after the weapon flew for over 499 kilometers. The ballistics test took place on Oct. 13 at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Florida.

Speaking at the Project Convergence media day on Tuesday, Murray, a two-time Wash100 winner and a former Potomac Officers Club speaker, said the test gives the service confidence that the Lockheed Martin-built missile can fly beyond 499 kilometers. Breaching that threshold is significant because it breaks restrictions set by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, which expired in 2019, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

The missile is part of the Army’s Long-Range Precision Fires portfolio and is designed to replace the Army Tactical Missile System, a weapon with a maximum range of 300 kilometers. The program is spearheaded by Program Executive Office Missiles and Space.

According to Lockheed Martin, PrSM is a surface-to-surface weapon that has a range of 60 to over 499 kilometers. The rocket can be launched from an MLRS M270 launcher or the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platform. The weapon is also designed to be modular and expandable.

PrSM fielding is slated for fiscal year 2023, and 20 missiles are expected to be delivered.