By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization
The Army’s new high-tech Precision-Strike Missile is surging forward into operational status with a double-shot flight-test and assessment designed to refine the technology for deployment.
In development for many years now, the PrSM is a breakthrough weapon able to pinpoint targets out to ranges of 400km, a development emerging from the Russian violation of the INF Treaty which led to the rapid emergence of several US-build medium-range land-missiles. In a recent test flight, two PrSM missiles were fired from a HIMARS system against a mid-range target to assess the weapon’s flight trajectory and targeting technology, according to an essay from Lockheed Martin.
“We continue to advance this credible deterrent, integrating 21st Century Securitechnologies into the baseline and future variants in support of cross domain and maritime operations.”Carolyn Orzechowski, Vice President of Precision Fires Launchers and Missiles at Lockheed Martin, said in a company essay.
The test was significant because it involved a “double-shot,” meaning several missiles at once were able to track and descend upon targets from critical stand-off distances while maintaining guidance, navigation and precision strike. This test further validates production and follows the fourth Early Operational Capability (EOC) contract.
Being compatible with HIMARS is extremely significant as it enables the missiles to integrate with existing, yet upgradeable mobile launcher systems. This indicates that the missiles could be quickly transported, loaded and fired from existing launcher systems in position to maneuver for an attack.
The Army has also been working on an advanced seeker for the PrSM which could enable improved precision and an ability to change course in flight as needed to hit changing or moving targets. Details about this seeker are not discussed, yet senior Army weapons developers have for years said that indeed upgrades and guidance enhancements, including the integration of a new seeker, were underway. A new seeker could introduce a number of tactical advantages such as an ability to adjust in flight as needed, maintain guidance in all weather conditions and potentially even overcome enemy efforts to “jam” or “disrupt” the targeting.
As high speed missiles, these weapons could be used to attack enemy formations from safer stand-off distances before mechanized forces “close” with an enemy. They could target enemy convoys, airfields, equipment and storage locations as well as force positions in advance of an attack. An ability to network in flight and, if needed, course correct could be extremely significant for a weapon of this kind as it could target moving enemy formations with precision in a way previously not possible at these longer ranges.
