U.S. Army Seeks New HIMARS PrSM Increment 1 Missile Producers to Expand Long-Range Strike Stocks.

The U.S. Army is seeking additional manufacturers for its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1, a long-range ballistic missile launched from HIMARS and M270 rocket systems. The move could accelerate missile production, reduce reliance on Lockheed Martin, and help replenish U.S. ammunition stocks following recent combat operations while preparing American forces for prolonged high-intensity conflicts.

A U.S. Army M142 HIMARS launcher fires a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on February 12, 2025, as part of efforts to expand long-range precision strike capabilities. (Picture source: US DoD)

The move comes as U.S. ground forces seek to replenish ammunition inventories following several military operations and expand their long-range strike capabilities. PrSM is one of the Army's principal artillery modernization programs, intended to progressively replace the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) while increasing both the engagement range and the number of missiles carried by existing launchers.

On October 14, 2026, Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, published a sources-sought notice on the U.S. government procurement portal SAM.gov under reference PANRSA-26-P-0000-040840. Issued on behalf of the Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles (STORM) Project Office, the notice invites companies to provide information about their ability to manufacture PrSM Increment 1 missiles and their launch pods. Interested manufacturers have until October 30 to submit their responses.

Lockheed Martin currently manufactures PrSM Increment 1 and remains the Army's principal industrial partner for the program. In March 2025, the company received an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum value of $4.9 billion, including an initial order for 400 missiles. The agreement establishes a framework for increasing deliveries as the weapon enters a broader phase of operational deployment.

Related News: U.S. Army Advances 1000 km PrSM Missile to Give HIMARS Long-Range Strike Against Moving Targets

Efforts to expand production are already underway. On March 25, 2026, Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon announced a framework agreement aimed at quadrupling PrSM manufacturing capacity. The decision came weeks after the missile's first operational use during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, confirmed by U.S. Central Command on March 4. These commitments come as inventories of the new weapon remain limited, with large-scale manufacturing having started relatively recently.

The October consultation therefore represents an additional measure alongside Lockheed Martin's planned production increase. The Army wants to determine whether other companies possess the facilities, technical expertise, and supply chains required to manufacture the existing missile. Diversifying suppliers could increase available production capacity and reduce the risks associated with relying on a single manufacturer. However, the initiative does not establish that Lockheed Martin is unable to meet its contractual commitments. No additional producer has been selected.

Access to technical information is another consideration. The Army indicates that it holds technical data rights down to the line-replaceable unit level, potentially allowing new manufacturers to assess production requirements. Access remains subject to security restrictions. Manufacturing the missile would also require investment, component qualification, and production processes that comply with U.S. military standards.

PrSM Increment 1 is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed to replace ATACMS. It has a range exceeding 400 kilometers, compared with approximately 300 kilometers for the longest-range ATACMS variants. Compatible with the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), it extends the Army's deep-strike capabilities without requiring a new family of launch vehicles.

One of its principal characteristics is its ammunition capacity. A HIMARS launch pod can accommodate two PrSM missiles instead of a single ATACMS round, doubling the number of ballistic missiles available before reloading. The weapon also uses a modular, open-systems architecture designed to accommodate future improvements while retaining existing logistical infrastructure.

The program has completed several testing milestones. In September 2025, the Army concluded initial operational testing of Increment 1 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Four missiles were fired against simulated targets approximately 200 kilometers away. The evaluations covered accuracy, trajectory, and warhead performance.

From a tactical perspective, PrSM allows HIMARS and M270 batteries to engage command posts, air defense installations, and logistics concentrations located deep behind enemy lines. Its extended range enables launchers to fire from positions farther from opposing forces, while the two-missile configuration provides additional engagement options. Sustaining this capability during a prolonged conflict nevertheless requires sufficient ammunition inventories and an industrial base capable of replacing expended missiles.

This initiative must be distinguished from the PrSM Increment 4 program. On September 29, 2026, the Army selected Anduril, Castelion, Lockheed Martin, Mach Industries, and RTX to develop prototypes of a future missile capable of striking moving maritime targets and relocatable ground targets at distances of at least 1,000 kilometers. Unlike that development competition, the October consultation concerns only the manufacture of the existing PrSM Increment 1. The two procurement processes are separate, and companies selected for Increment 4 are not automatically qualified or chosen to produce Increment 1.

For Washington, the search for additional manufacturers addresses two requirements: replenishing missile inventories depleted during recent military operations and increasing reserves in preparation for a potential high-intensity conflict. Strikes against Iran in 2026 involved PrSM missiles, whose stocks were already limited because production had only recently begun. Although Lockheed Martin has committed to quadrupling its manufacturing capacity, the Pentagon is now exploring additional supply sources to make production less dependent on a single contractor. The objective extends beyond replacing ammunition expended in combat. With the possibility of a prolonged confrontation with China in the Indo-Pacific shaping U.S. defense planning, Washington is seeking missile reserves capable of sustaining deep-strike campaigns while retaining sufficient resources to respond to other crises, particularly in Europe.

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Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.