US Army selects Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman and Raytheon to develop LRMF Long Range Maneuverable Fires Missile


The U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Center has selected Lockheed Martin to develop an advanced propulsion Long Range Maneuverable Fires (LRMF) missile. The missile can be fired from existing Army launchers to defeat distant threats at ranges that significantly exceed those of the PrSM baseline.
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Lockheed Martin’s LRMF missile features an advanced propulsion solution that significantly extends PrSM’s range while retaining the ability to launch from U.S. Army launchers (Drawing source: Lockheed Martin)


“Lockheed Martin is partnering with the U.S. Army to give soldiers a decisive edge on the battlefield by extending their reach,” said Steven Botwinik, vice president of Advanced Programs Execution and Transition at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “With half a century of expertise integrating advanced propulsion systems and supporting the Army’s precision fires ecosystem, we are ready to develop a solution that significantly extends PrSM’s range.”

Phase 1 focuses on design and risk-reduction activities, with optional follow-on phases leading to flight test demonstration. Following flight tests, LRMF will transition to the U.S. Army’s Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles (STORM) project office to inform the design of an extended-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment (Inc.) 4.

To reach a significantly extended range with launcher volume constraints, Lockheed Martin’s solution will employ unique design elements and key technologies to address size and endurance challenges.

Let us remind that the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a surface-to-surface missile currently under development by the United States Army. It is intended to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and provide the Army with a longer-range and more precise missile capability.

Technical data and specifications of the PrSM missile

* Range: over 499 km (310 miles)
* Warhead: The missile is designed to carry a variety of warheads, including a high-explosive, fragmentation, and thermobaric warhead.
* Guidance system: The missile uses an inertial navigation system with GPS and an anti-jamming capability to guide it to the target. It can also receive in-flight updates from a ground station.
* Speed: The missile can travel at speeds up to Mach 5 (around 6,174 km/h or 3,836 mph).
* Dimensions: The missile is about 4.2 meters (14 feet) long and has a diameter of 61 cm (24 inches).
* Weight: The missile weighs around 1,200 kg (2,600 lbs).
* Propulsion: The missile uses a solid rocket motor for propulsion.

Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman team down-selected for US Army’s Next-generation Precision Strike Missile

The U.S. Army selected Raytheon Technologies to advance its design for the Long Range Maneuverable Fires program, intended to become Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4. Working collaboratively with Northrop Grumman, the team will mature its innovative design, featuring advanced propulsion technology as a key enabler for extending range, as well as enhancements for survivability and lethality.

During this phase of the program, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman will partner to co-design, build and test the propulsion subsystem for DeepStrike-ER, an advanced missile solution that will demonstrate the capability to achieve the Army’s desired range and effectiveness against next-generation threats.

“Our experience in developing the most sophisticated missile technologies in the world uniquely positions Raytheon to partner with the Army to address this high-priority modernization program,” said Tom Laliberty, president of land warfare & air defense, Raytheon. “This legacy, coupled with our creative partnerships to bring together proven technologies, enables us to deliver a superior solution that meets or exceeds the requirements for the critical long-range precision fires mission.”

“Northrop Grumman’s ongoing investment in new propulsion technologies and infrastructure support the growing need for efficient and effective missile systems,” said Jim Kalberer, vice president of missile products at Northrop Grumman. “Our mission-tailored solution will include advanced propulsion technology and key components designed to increase capacity within the launch system and achieve optimal range extension.”

Developed in collaboration with the Australian Defence Forces, this next-generation weapon is the U.S. Army’s future long-range precision strike missile, offering improved capabilities over the Army Tactical Missile System to engage a variety of threats with unparalleled range and accuracy. The missile, which is being procured and developed in four increments addressing specific operational requirements, is designed for integration into currently fielded Army platforms.


Defense News March 2023