WASHINGTON — The US Central Command announced today that Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) were utilized in combat for the first time, marking a significant milestone since their deployment to the Army at the end of 2023. This historic event took place during Operation Epic Fury, showcasing the missiles’ advanced deep strike capabilities.
In a post shared on X by CENTCOM, Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM Commander, expressed pride in the innovative application of the missiles by US forces. He stated, “I just could not be prouder of our men and women in uniform leveraging innovation to create dilemmas for the enemy.” The accompanying video highlighted the launch of a PrSM from a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), with the capability to also be fired from the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). CENTCOM has not disclosed the specifics regarding the launch targets.
These missiles are part of the PrSM Increment 1 program, designed to replace the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), and can strike targets located over 500 kilometers away. Future enhancements for the PrSM are already in the pipeline, including Increment 2, which will feature a multimode seeker for anti-ship capabilities, and Increment 3, focused on increased lethality. Additionally, the Army is collaborating with teams from Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies-Northrop Grumman to develop competing designs for PrSM Increment 4 that aim to extend the range to over 1,000 kilometers, effectively doubling the distance of the current model.
During Operation Epic Fury, CENTCOM confirmed the utilization of various advanced weaponry, including B-2 bombers, F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, and the new Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS)—a one-way attack drone modeled after Iran’s Shahed-136. Other weapons deployed in the operation include the Patriot missile defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and various counter-drone solutions. The targets identified by CENTCOM have encompassed command and control centers, ballistic missile and drone sites, Iranian naval vessels and submarines, airfields, and facilities associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The successful integration of advanced missile systems such as the PrSM into operational strategies underscores the evolving landscape of modern warfare and highlights the commitment of U.S. forces to maintain a strategic advantage.