- U.S. Central Command released footage from Operation Epic Fury showing a HIMARS launch visually consistent with the Precision Strike Missile, suggesting possible first combat use against Iranian targets.
- The PrSM offers extended strike range and increased launcher capacity compared with ATACMS, indicating expanded long-range precision strike capability in operational conditions.
U.S. Central Command released new footage from Operation Epic Fury showing a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launching a missile visually consistent with the United States Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), suggesting the system may have been used in combat for the first time during strikes against Iranian targets.
The footage has drawn attention because it may indicate the operational debut of the PrSM ballistic missile, a next-generation long-range precision weapon developed to replace the MGM-140 ATACMS. The appearance of the missile in combat conditions addresses a long-standing operational goal of extending precision strike range while maintaining compatibility with existing launch platforms.
According to imagery published by U.S. Central Command, the missile launched from a HIMARS platform appears longer and narrower than the ATACMS missile traditionally fired from the system. Analysts noted that the dimensions shown in the video align with known characteristics of the PrSM design, which allows two missiles to be carried in a single launcher pod instead of one ATACMS round.
U.S. Central Command did not explicitly name the missile in its release but published the footage as part of Operation Epic Fury, which documented strike activity targeting Iranian military objectives. The video shows a missile launch sequence from a HIMARS launcher under operational conditions, followed by strike imagery associated with the campaign.
The Precision Strike Missile is designed as a surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 500 kilometers, compared with approximately 300 kilometers for ATACMS. The extended range enables launch platforms to operate farther from contested areas while still striking high-value targets such as command centers, logistics hubs, or missile infrastructure.
Unlike ATACMS, the PrSM uses a smaller-diameter missile body combined with increased length, enabling two missiles to fit inside a standard launcher pod. This configuration effectively doubles the available strike capacity of HIMARS and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems without requiring changes to the launch vehicle itself.
The missile carries a smaller warhead, estimated at approximately 91 kilograms, but relies on improved guidance and accuracy to achieve operational effects. This reflects a broader shift toward precision engagement rather than larger explosive payloads, allowing forces to target specific facilities while reducing collateral damage risk.
Lockheed Martin began serial production of the PrSM family in July of last year. The initial production contract covered delivery of 282 Increment 1 missiles between 2023 and 2025. A subsequent contract expanded procurement to 1,296 missiles scheduled for production between 2025 and 2029, reflecting the United States Army’s transition away from ATACMS toward the newer system.
Background development of the PrSM program began as part of the United States Army’s modernization initiative focused on long-range precision fires. The system was intended to replace aging ATACMS inventories while increasing range and launcher efficiency, particularly against peer or near-peer adversaries.