Breaking News: U.S. to Accelerate Fielding of New PrSM Missile Inc 2 Designed to Target Moving and Maritime Threats.

On May 1, 2025, a document shared on the X (formerly Twitter) account of defense analyst Colby Badhwar revealed a significant shift in the U.S. Army’s modernization priorities. According to the information, U.S. Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth has directed that the fielding of the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 (PrSM Inc 2) be accelerated to 2027, moving it up from the previously planned date of 2028. This adjustment underscores the Army’s intent to rapidly expand its long-range precision strike capabilities in response to evolving operational requirements.
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A U.S. Army M142 HIMARS launches a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) during a live-fire flight test at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on March 19, 2025, showcasing the Army’s advancing long-range precision strike capabilities. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) Increment 2 represents a substantial leap forward from the baseline Precision Strike Missile that is already replacing the aging MGM-140 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System). While Increment 1 focused on improved range and platform compatibility, Increment 2 introduces game-changing technology with the integration of a multi-mode terminal seeker. This new seeker capability enables the missile to identify, track, and engage dynamic and high-value targets such as moving maritime assets—like enemy warships—and mobile air defense systems. The seeker suite is reportedly designed to be modular and flexible, with potential configurations including imaging infrared (IIR), active radar homing, and semi-active laser guidance, allowing the missile to adapt to a variety of mission profiles and battlefield environments.

Crucially, PrSM Increment 2 extends the weapon’s range to over 500 km, a threshold previously restricted under the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The United States’ withdrawal from the treaty in 2019 has enabled the development of longer-range precision strike capabilities without diplomatic or legal constraints. This enhanced reach positions the PrSM as a central asset in countering peer and near-peer adversaries, particularly in contested theaters where integrated air defense networks and long-range fires from enemy forces challenge access and maneuver.

The missile’s design maintains compatibility with the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), ensuring a smooth and cost-effective integration with the current U.S. and allied launcher inventories. This compatibility allows for rapid fielding and immediate deployment without the need for significant platform modifications, thereby expediting the missile’s contribution to deterrence and combat readiness.

Adding to the momentum of the PrSM program, on February 12, 2025, the U.S. Army successfully executed two Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 engagements during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range. Launched from a HIMARS system, the tests served as a critical benchmark in validating the missile’s performance and operational integration. The successful test firings further underscore the progress being made in the Army’s long-range precision strike capabilities.

Furthermore, on April 24, 2025, the PrSM missile achieved another major milestone by completing a series of Production Qualification Tests (PQTs) at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. These PQTs demonstrated the missile system’s readiness and reliability under operational conditions. According to Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, Program Executive Officer for Missiles and Space, “PrSM will give our Soldiers a game-changing capability on the battlefield, allowing them to engage targets at long range with precision and lethality.”

This milestone paves the way for the final phase of the system’s development, which includes the commencement of Initial Operational Testing and Evaluation (IOT&E) starting in May 2025. A full-rate production decision is expected later this year, marking a critical juncture for the future of U.S. Army firepower.

Importantly, PrSM will be the first weapon system to achieve a production milestone under the Army’s new Cross Functional Team (CFT) construct—an integral element of the broader Army Futures Command and its modernization initiative. This reflects a shift toward streamlined development processes and faster acquisition cycles aimed at delivering cutting-edge capabilities to soldiers more quickly and efficiently.

The acceleration of the PrSM Increment 2 program reflects both a technological maturation and a strategic shift. In a world where time-sensitive threats and dispersed battlefields dominate military planning, the ability to rapidly target and destroy critical mobile assets at extended ranges is no longer optional—it is essential. The PrSM Increment 2, therefore, is not just a missile upgrade; it is a transformational tool for multi-domain operations, giving the U.S. Army and its joint partners a sharper edge in future conflicts.

With continued testing, validation, and industrial collaboration, the PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) program is on track to become a cornerstone of American long-range precision firepower, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to outpacing emerging threats and securing dominance in future battlefields.