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The US Army has confirmed that it successfully fired its new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from Palau, engaging a moving target at sea for the first time outside of American testing sites.

During the Valiant Shield exercise, soldiers from the 3rd Multidomain Task Force launched two PrSMs from the Autonomous Multidomain Launcher (AML), hitting a moving maritime target with the support of joint assets. Delivered in December 2023, the PrSM is set to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System.

The PrSM, capable of launching from an M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System or the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, is essential for countering advanced technologies from adversaries like Russia and China. It provides a critical deep-strike capability with a range of over 250 miles.

This development came after the United States’ withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia in 2019. This move has allowed the United States to pursue the development of missiles with extended ranges, potentially exceeding 310 miles.

Lockheed Martin has been at the forefront of PrSM development since RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies) exited the program in 2020. After successful flight tests and development phases, Lockheed received substantial contracts to produce early operational capability PrSMs. Future enhancements, including an advanced seeker for better maritime targeting and increased range, are reportedly in the pipeline.