In A First, U.S. Army Successfully Tests Precision Strike Missile Against Moving Ship In The Pacific

The US Army successfully tested its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) against a moving maritime target in the Pacific.

The exercise, part of Valiant Shield 2024, took place on June 16 in Palau.

It involved the prototype Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) and two PrSMs, which proved its ability to engage a moving target while working with other joint assets.

The test, carried out during a sinking exercise (SINKEX), targeted the decommissioned hulk of the ex-USS Cleveland, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock.

This was the first known use of the PrSM against a moving sea target and the first time the AML and PrSM were employed outside of the United States.

The PrSM, developed by Lockheed Martin, is intended to replace the earlier MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), providing extended long-range support and deep strike capabilities.

The missile has a wider range than the ATACMS, allowing it to strike targets at distances of 40 to over 300 miles.

The Army stated that the new PrSMs will greatly increase the range and lethality of the US military’s long-range precision munitions.

The ballistic missile can operate in all weather conditions and is expected to replace both the unitary and cluster variants of the ATACMS.

A launch pod can carry two PrSMs instead of one because of its reduced size.

Future PrSM variants will focus on extending the range and engagement of time-sensitive, moving, hardened, and transient targets.

These advancements were recognized in a Pentagon test and evaluation office report on the program.

Previous PrSM testing has proved encouraging, with a successful demonstration in November 2023 and initial missile delivery in December 2023.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Doug Bush cited the speedy development and delivery of this capability as an example of the Army’s proactive use of new acquisition authority from Congress.

In January 2024, the Army tested the seeker technology that will allow the PrSM to strike warships and moving targets, clearing the path for the Increment II PrSM to acquire anti-ship abilities.

Recent events involving the Houthis and concerns about great power competition in the Indo-Pacific area have made anti-ship capabilities increasingly vital.

China, in particular, has developed several anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles, pushing the United States to create its arsenal of anti-ship capabilities.

During the Valiant Shield 2024 exercise, the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) demonstrated its capability to operate in the INDOPACOM region.

Soldier teams were deployed around the Pacific, integrating extended-range sensing, long-range communication, effects, and fires to achieve training objectives.

High-altitude balloons outfitted with electromagnetic sensing and mesh communications equipment were released on Guam.

The Vanilla Ultra-Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) also served as a communication relay, performing impressively over a 27-hour mission.

During the exercise, the 3MDTF All-Domain Operations Center on Oahu and a Battalion command in Japan were the focal points for coordinated planning and execution.

Valiant Shield is a biennial field training event integrating interoperability training across multiple domains.

It improves real-world skill in sustaining combined forces across several domains, contributing to the ongoing transformation of multi-domain capabilities and enhancing warfighting readiness.

Reference: US Army

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Source: Maritime Shipping News