U.S. Launches Mass Production of PrSM Ballistic Missiles

The U.S. Army has announced the transition to full-rate production of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in its Increment 1 configuration.

The program has entered Phase C, which authorizes mass production and the deployment of the missiles to operational units, according to an official Army press release.

On March 29, the Pentagon awarded a $4.9 billion contract to purchase the new PrSM Increment 1 missiles, which are set to replace aging ATACMS missiles currently being phased out.

Procurement is scheduled from 2025 through 2029, with the Army planning to acquire 1,296 PrSM missiles under the contract.

In addition to the baseline Increment 1 version, which is intended to strike stationary targets, the Army will also purchase ten Increment 2 missiles. These will feature a seeker head, enabling engagement of moving targets.

The PrSM acquisition effort has been underway for several years. Between 2023 and 2025, a separate contract provided for 282 missiles: 42 in 2023 for $162 million, 110 in 2024 for $384 million, and 230 planned for 2025 at a cost of $492 million.

The PrSM missile has demonstrated an ability to hit targets at a range of up to 499.4 kilometers, although its projected range is up to 650 kilometers, significantly surpassing the performance of the ATACMS system currently in service.