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US Develops Advanced PrSM Missile for HIMARS, Set to Deploy Drones and Glide Bombs at 500 km Range

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Lucile Brizard
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US Develops Advanced PrSM Missile for HIMARS, Set to Deploy Drones and Glide Bombs at 500 km Range
A Coyote Block 2 counter-drone interceptor (Source: Joseph Trevithick).

The US Army is developing a modified version of its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the HIMARS system, which will enable the deployment of drones and guided glide bombs at a range of 500 km, according to Lockheed Martin and reports from The War Zone on May 1.

This modification is expected to significantly enhance battlefield capabilities by allowing for long-range strikes far behind enemy lines.

Developed by Lockheed Martin, this missile variant will carry a swarm of drones and miniature glide bombs.

The missile’s payload includes Coyote jet drones and Hatchet glide bombs, both of which offer distinct advantages in modern warfare.

The Coyote drone, initially designed for anti-aircraft use, has evolved into a reusable platform capable of carrying various payloads, including electronic warfare systems and reconnaissance equipment. The Hatchet, a small 3 kg glide bomb, combines precision with size, allowing for multiple bombs to be deployed at once.

This missile development is reminiscent of the US Army’s previous attempt with the Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) project for ATACMS, which also focused on delivering precision munitions via ballistic missiles.

The PrSM Increment 3 missile, planned for deployment in the future, represents a major step forward in this direction, enabling the launch of multiple drones or glide bombs in a single mission.

A high-speed image shows submunitions released from a US Army weapon system at supersonic speed during a test at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. (Source: USAF)
A high-speed image shows submunitions released from a US Army weapon system at supersonic speed during a test at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. (Source: USAF)

The incremental upgrades to the PrSM system, which include a range of 500 km, improved target acquisition capabilities, and expanded strike distances, are designed to enhance US military flexibility and response time on the battlefield.

In related news, the United States has urged Greece to transfer its Patriot air defense systems, previously deployed in Saudi Arabia, to Ukraine, while also requesting Greece commit a naval frigate to operations against Houthi forces in the Red Sea.

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