Northrop Grumman has successfully tested another Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 rocket motor, marking a critical step in strengthening the US Army’s long-range strike and deep fires capability. The achievement underscores the company’s expanding contribution to next-generation missile propulsion and tactical weapons systems.
The test firing took place at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia and confirmed the performance of the solid rocket motor that drives the PrSM missile. Supplied to Lockheed Martin, the motor enables PrSM to deliver extended reach and enhanced precision compared with earlier munitions. The event represented Northrop Grumman’s 16th straight successful acceptance test, reflecting mature manufacturing processes and dependable propulsion performance.
As a key element of the army’s modernization and precision fires portfolio, PrSM is designed to replace ATACMS while integrating seamlessly with HIMARS and M270 launchers already in widespread service. The missile offers significantly longer range, improved targeting accuracy, and increased payload efficiency, allowing army units to strike high-value targets at greater distances.
Program activity intensified in 2025, with the US Army moving PrSM into large-scale production. In March, Lockheed Martin received a $4.9 billion IDIQ contract, including an initial batch of 400 Increment 1 missiles. This was followed by successful qualification flights at White Sands Missile Range in October, where paired launches from HIMARS validated operational performance. With Milestone C approval secured, Lockheed Martin is now preparing to scale production to as many as 400 PrSM missiles per year, supporting sustained fielding across the force.
