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At a recent Association of the U.S. Army event, military leaders revealed plans for a new version of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) designed to be launched from autonomous systems. This next-generation missile, known as Increment 5, is intended to strike targets from a range of over 1,000 kilometers, significantly enhancing the U.S. Army’s long-range strike capabilities.
Increment 5 is a transformative development in the Army’s missile program. According to Interesting Engineering, the missile is currently in the science and technology phase, marking it as a work-in-progress. While there is funding available for research, no formal development timeline has been established yet.
The Army’s focus is on creating a missile that can be launched from autonomous vehicles, allowing for more efficient operations. Autonomous systems could accommodate larger missiles without the constraints of manned vehicles, potentially overcoming the range limitations of current systems. This missile is expected to achieve previously unthinkable ranges, revolutionizing the Army’s ability to strike distant and strategic targets.
The U.S. Army is also working on four other PrSM versions aimed at replacing the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Increment 1, the first operational version, has already been deployed, capable of striking targets at over 500 kilometers. Increment 2 introduces a multimode seeker with anti-ship capabilities, while Increment 3 focuses on increasing missile lethality with enhanced payloads.
The development of Increment 4, being advanced by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies, aims to extend missile ranges beyond 1,000 kilometers, doubling the performance of existing systems. This marks a significant leap in the Army’s ability to conduct long-range precision strikes, positioning it to meet future strategic challenges.
The integration of autonomous technology and advanced missile capabilities is part of the Army’s broader effort to modernize its defense systems and maintain superiority in a rapidly evolving battlefield environment.
