Lockheed Martin may increase range of M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS to 1000 km

We continue to report on the information Lockheed Martin shared at the AUSA 2022 Armament Show. The manufacturer stated that the range of the M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS could increase to 1,000 km.

Here's What We Know

This will be achieved thanks to the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). The company wants to make four upgrades to the missile. Paula Hartley, vice president of Lockheed Martin, said that the missile is scheduled for testing in 2023.

In addition, the company intends to move toward producing its first test rockets next year. To that end, it has been allocated more than $70 million to produce 54 PrSM test missiles for the M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS multiple rocket launchers.

In 2023, Lockheed Martin will conduct three PrSM Increment 1 tests weighing more than 500 kg. The second phase (Increment 2) plans to add a multi-mode seeker. Then, in Increment 3, the U.S. company will integrate smart munitions and work to add multi-target capability.

However, the most interesting stage could be Increment 4. This step will increase the launch range of the PrSM to 1000 km. Right now Lockheed Martin officially claims a range of 650 km. But the future of PrSM Increment 4 is still vague. The American company is waiting for the army's decision. It must be taken by the end of this month.

Note that the PrSM Increment 4 will more than triple the maximum range of M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS. Nowadays multiple launch rocket systems can hit targets at a distance of 300 km thanks to ATACMS ballistic missiles.

Source: Janes

Image: Defence24