The agreement raises the value of the multi-year PrSM Increment 1 production programme to $13.3 billion. The provided material indicates that the new agreement may be linked to combat experience from the weapon’s use in the conflict with Iran and to the need to rebuild the relatively small U.S. stocks held before the fighting began.
PrSM Increment 1 is the first version of the missile to enter service with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. The missile has a range of about 700 km, after the original 499 km limit ceased to apply following the end of the INF/RSMD treaty.
The missile carries a warhead weighing about 90 kg. It is intended to replace the larger and heavier MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missile.
The PrSM offers more than twice the range of ATACMS and allows a greater missile load per launcher. A standard transport-launch container for M142 and M270 launchers can carry two PrSM missiles.
The programme is also expected to include later missile variants developed by different industry teams. PrSM Increment 2 is planned with an LBASM multi-mode seeker intended to engage moving targets, including ships.
PrSM Increment 3 is described as a version with a warhead of increased strike power. PrSM Increment 4 is planned as a missile with a range of about 1,000 km, with competing designs being developed by Lockheed Martin and a team formed by RTX and Northrop Grumman.
PrSM Increment 5 is expected to have a range above 1,000 km. The contractor for that version has not yet been identified in the provided material.
The target production rate is expected to reach 400 missiles a year. The provided material says it is not known whether that figure applies only to the lightest and simplest version or to all planned variants.
The missile is also expected to be offered for export. Australia is participating in work linked to the development and production of PrSM.
The agreement expands Lockheed Martin’s role in a programme intended to increase the availability of longer-range ground-launched missiles. Further production commitments are expected to be made through separate orders under the wider framework.
