U.S. Marine Corps helicopters gain new long-range strike weapon

The Department of the Navy awarded an $86.2 million contract to L3Harris Technologies on Jan. 30 for the Precision Attack Strike Munition, a new weapon intended to enhance the lethality and survivability of U.S. Marine Corps rotary-wing aircraft.

The Precision Attack Strike Munition, or PASM, will provide Marine Corps AH-1Z attack helicopters with a longer-range, precision weapon capable of delivering kinetic and non-kinetic effects in both land-based and maritime operating environments. The munition is designed to support operations from sea and shore, expanding the attack options available to Marine aviation units.

The contract award follows several years of testing under a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration for the Long-Range Attack Munition, or LRAM. During that effort, the Marine Corps evaluated the ability of low-altitude rotary-wing aircraft to conduct offensive anti-surface warfare and maritime strike missions. Navy officials said the results of those demonstrations directly informed the decision to proceed with PASM procurement.

“We are proud to partner with L3Harris Technologies to deliver a system that will provide a decisive advantage to Marine Corps pilots and support their missions worldwide,” said Rear Adm. Tony Rossi, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.

The Precision Attack Strike Munition is intended for integration on the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, the Marine Corps’ primary rotary-wing strike platform. The system is designed to give aircrews the ability to engage targets at extended ranges compared to existing weapons, while operating from dispersed locations and contested maritime environments.

The Navy said the contract was awarded by the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons through its Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons program office, PMA-242. The agreement was executed under an Other Transaction Authority, a contracting mechanism used to accelerate research, development, and prototype fielding.

“The use of an OTA contract is a key part of this strategy, designed to rapidly prototype and field a capability that’s essential for operations in contested environments and against advanced adversaries,” said Capt. Lindsay Buzzell, PMA-242 program manager.

Under the terms of the contract, L3Harris will deliver all Precision Attack Strike Munition units along with associated manuals, training, support equipment, and test equipment. The Navy said deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2027.

PMA-242 serves as the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons program office for both the Navy and the Marine Corps. The office manages the development and fielding of weapons designed to address time-critical and high-threat targets across multiple domains.

PASM is intended to support distributed operations by enabling AH-1Z crews to strike surface targets while reducing exposure to enemy air defenses.