How are the U.S. Army’s next-generation long-range missiles revolutionizing precision strike and counterstrike capabilities?

In an era of modern warfare that requires both precision and range, the U.S. Army is undergoing a significant transformation to improve its long-range fire capabilities. As adversaries become more proficient with anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems, the U.S. Army is investing heavily in next-generation artillery technologies, particularly the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW). programs. These cutting-edge weapons are designed to dramatically expand the Army’s reach on the battlefield and provide long-range strike capabilities that complement and augment existing systems such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
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November 19, 2024 – A HIMARS system launches two Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) during a production qualification flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. (Image source: Lockheed Martin)

On November 19, 2024, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army successfully completed another Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) qualification flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. During this test, a HIMARS system fired two PrSM missiles in a medium-range flight against a target, demonstrating the system’s sustained accuracy and operational readiness. Additionally, the U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery, part of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, made history by participating in Exercise Resolute Hunter 24-2, a joint, combined exercise held March 25-27. This exercise marked a significant milestone as it was the first time that the Army’s hypersonic capability was integrated into the bi-annual joint exercise.

A cornerstone of the U.S. Army’s long-range artillery modernization efforts is the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). Developed by Lockheed Martin, the PrSM is designed to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and significantly improve the Army’s ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory with precision. Capable of engaging targets from distances of up to 500 kilometers, PrSM provides a decisive advantage over adversaries by allowing the Army to disrupt enemy command, logistics, air defense and other high-value targets deep behind enemy lines.

One of PrSM’s most notable features is its precision guidance system, which combines advanced GPS and inertial navigation technology to ensure high accuracy even at longer distances. This makes PrSM an ideal tool for neutralizing enemy infrastructure, missile systems and other critical assets without the need for costly air strikes or manned aircraft missions. PrSM is also integrated into the HIMARS launch system, already in use with the US Army and allied forces. HIMARS is a mobile, truck-mounted system that can rapidly deploy and fire PrSM missiles, providing strategic flexibility in responding to battlefield threats.

While PrSM improves the Army’s precision strike capabilities, the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) program takes these concepts even further by pushing the boundaries of speed and range. LRHW is part of a broader effort to develop hypersonic missiles – missiles that travel at speeds in excess of Mach 5 (approximately 3,800 miles per hour). This makes them extremely difficult to intercept and enables attacks at distances of more than 1,000 kilometers. The high-speed characteristics of the LRHW make it an effective tool for counterstrikes against fixed and mobile targets deep in enemy territory.

U.S. Army Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery, Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force demonstrate the capabilities of a Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Transporter Erector Launcher, Nevada, on August 2, 2024. (Image source: US DoD

The LRHW (Long Range Hypersonic Weapon) utilizes an advanced boost-glide system that allows the weapon to reach extreme speeds while maintaining maneuverability throughout the trajectory. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable trajectory, hypersonic weapons can change their trajectory mid-course, making them significantly more difficult to detect and intercept by existing missile defense systems. This technology gives the U.S. Army the ability to conduct precision strikes against high-value targets such as air defense systems, missile silos and command centers while minimizing the risk of retaliation.

The LRHW’s range and maneuverability make it an essential tool for penetrating sophisticated air defense systems. In future conflicts, adversaries could deploy advanced defense networks such as the Russian S-400 or the Chinese HQ-9 to deny access to certain regions of the battlefield. LRHW’s speed, range and ability to evade these systems will be critical to maintaining U.S. military dominance.

Although PrSM and LRHW represent monumental advances in long-range firepower, they do not operate in isolation. Integrating these systems into existing platforms such as HIMARS will be critical to ensure future power projection and deterrence. The HIMARS has already proven its effectiveness in real combat, for example in Ukraine, where it has been used to attack Russian artillery positions, command posts and logistics centers from longer distances. This real-world application highlights the value of HIMARS as a flexible, fast-response platform for conducting precision attacks.

The synergy between HIMARS, PrSM and LRHW provides the U.S. Army with unprecedented flexibility. Whether it is a rapid counterattack, precision strikes against high-value targets, or sustained campaigns against enemy infrastructure, when fully integrated, these systems provide a comprehensive ability to project power across vast theaters of conflict. The ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory, adjust targets in real time, and defeat sophisticated defenses will be critical to shaping the future of modern warfare.

As the U.S. Army continues to develop and deploy these advanced technologies, long-range precision strikes will become an increasingly important part of battlefield strategy. PrSM and LRHW are not only tools to attack targets in close-range conflicts, but also serve as effective deterrents by signaling to potential adversaries that any aggressive action will be met with a rapid, overwhelming response.

The integration of these systems, combined with the advancement of autonomous systems and advanced sensors, represents the future of modern warfare. In this future, rapid, long-range precision attacks will replace traditional forms of combat, and the ability to use force quickly and decisively will be essential to sustaining the global security will be crucial.

As the U.S. Army moves through various phases of testing and deployment, these systems will redefine the U.S. military’s role in deterrence, power projection and leadership in advanced warfare technologies. The increasing sophistication of U.S. long-range fires will pose significant challenges to adversaries and complicate any efforts to counter U.S. military dominance. In this evolving landscape, systems such as PrSM and LRHW will be essential to maintaining U.S. military superiority in future conflicts.

By integrating these cutting-edge technologies into its arsenal, the U.S. Army positions itself for long-term dominance in precision strike capabilities and ensures it remains a formidable force on the world stage for years to come.