Lockheed Martin, in partnership with the US Army, has completed the shortest-range flight test of the PrSM system.
This test is a milestone in developing PrSM, which is designed to provide the US Army with a long-range precision fire capability.
The latest production qualification test of the US Army's PrSM missile was a success, according to Lockheed Martin. The test was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and involved firing one missile from a HIMARS launcher to hit a target set.
The test is the shortest distance flown to date, demonstrating the system's accuracy from launch to impact.
Short-range flight represents the most stressful, dynamic environment for the missile as it manoeuvres at hypersonic speeds to align with the target. This test verifies the structural integrity of the missile and trajectory control.
The successful outcome of the test is an advancement in the development of the PrSM system, which will provide the US Army with a long-range precision fire capability.
"This demonstration is the first of several production qualification tests moving PrSM closer to fielding and delivery of Early Operational Capability (EOC) missiles this year," said Jay Price, vice-president of precision fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "PrSM is a critical capability, and the top long-range precision fires modernisation priority for the US Army."
According to GloalData's The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems Market 2023–2033 report, Lockheed Martin will capture a 24.5% share of the missiles and missile defence systems market in North America, with forecast revenue of $41.5bn over the 2023–33 period.
The PrSM missile can neutralise targets to more than 400km and is the US Army's next-generation long-range precision strike missile. The new surface-to-surface weapon features an open systems architecture design, is modular for future growth, and HIMARS and M270 compatible.
This development will also benefit Australia, which has partnered with the US to develop Lockheed Martin's PrSM. The move comes as Australia seeks to establish long-range strike capabilities to protect its sovereign interests and maintain regional security amid an increasingly antagonistic relationship with China.
The successful completion of this test paves the way for the fielding and delivery of EOC missiles later this year.
