Scaling Precision: Designing and Manufacturing the Army's Next-Generation Strike Missile

October 13, 2025

Lockheed Martin delivered the first Early Operational Capability missiles to the U.S. Army in December 2023 and is ramping to produce 400 missiles per year. (Image: Lockheed Martin)

As the U.S. Army transitions into a new era of modernization, its Precision Strike Missile program is a powerful example of how innovation at scale can deliver strategic capability. Designed to succeed the legacy Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), PrSM features extended range, improved lethality and platform versatility, enabled by mission integration and digital engineering across industry and government.

In July 2025, the Army granted Milestone C approval for PrSM, signaling readiness for full production and deployment. Just a few months earlier, Lockheed Martin sealed a $ 4.94 billion contract to rapidly transition from prototypes to large-scale manufacturing, with Early Operational Capability missiles already flowing downrange – and production targeting 400 units annually.

Manufacturing leaders emphasize that this momentum reflects a new industrial era: model-based design, digital twin technology and a net-centric, data-driven production environment. These tools offer real-time integration, simulation-based testing and automated quality assurance – enabling a production surge without sacrificing reliability. Automation on the PrSM manufacturing also supports advanced production processes, demonstrating the integration of automation in modern manufacturing and reflects ongoing investments in innovation and efficiency across the enterprise.

The PrSM program embodies the Army’s drive toward multi-domain operations, with a focus on integrating capabilities across land, air, sea, cyber and space to ensure overmatch. Aligned under the Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) modernization priority, PrSM benefits from cross-functional teams empowered by Army Futures Command to break down silos across acquisition, science and technology, testing and sustainment. Lockheed Martin is also accelerating innovation with rigorous testing and digital transformation – driving the program forward.

PrSM is fired during from both HIMARS and M270A2 launcher platforms during developmental testing. (Image: Lockheed Martin)

Army-wide initiatives like Project Convergence and transforming in contact fuel rapid prototyping and iterative feedback loops with Soldiers and industry. Demonstrations during military exercises like Valiant Shield and Talisman Sabre , as well as soldier-led tests showcase the joint-team’s commitment to innovating and rapidly delivering lethal capability to the warfighter.

The program’s industrial objective includes serving U.S. forces and allies. In July 2025, Australia launched its first PrSM strike—hitting a target over 300 km away at Mount Bundey – two years ahead of schedule . Concurrently, the U.S. and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding exploring co-development, sustainment and technology sharing. This growing collaboration positions PrSM as a model for international industrial integration and workforce agility.

Rigorous testing underpins production credibility. Highlights include:

June 2024 – Moving Maritime Target Engagement: Demonstrated guidance capability against dynamic sea targets during the Valiant Shield exercise.
December 2024 – First Soldier-Led Limited User Test: Gave soldiers firsthand control of PrSM, providing critical insights and ensuring the missile meets warfighter needs.
April 2025 – Production Qualification Test: Used production-level components to verify PrSM’s design performance.
July 2025 – Australian Live Fire: Validated interoperability and performance in allied operational contexts.

PrSM's baseline systems already deliver ranges in the 400+ km class. But planned increments aim beyond 1,000 km , integrating advanced seekers for moving targets and new payloads.

Achieving this requires a highly responsive industrial chain , digital engineering and agile processes—consistent with Army guidance on modernization and battlefield innovation.

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