PrSM significantly extends range, with Increment 1 reaching 310 miles and future versions targeting 400 miles or potentially exceeding 620 miles.
The US military has reportedly used the new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missile in ongoing operations against Iran, marking what appears to be its first combat deployment.
The missile began entering service roughly two years ago and offers significantly greater range than its predecessor, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), expanding the target areas US forces can hold at risk.
Overnight, US Central Command released images from the first 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury, including a PrSM launch from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
On February 28, Donald Trump announced major combat operations against Iran, calling strikes preemptive action to eliminate imminent threats and protect Americans’ worldwide security.
PrSM combat debut
US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video on March 1 showing HIMARS firing short-range ballistic missiles, with footage possibly depicting both PrSM and ATACMS launches.
The video also shows an M142 launcher fitted with what resembles a two-cell ammunition pod, consistent with PrSM’s design. The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the tracked M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System use standardized pods; ATACMS pods carry a single missile, while 227mm rockets are loaded in six-round pods, The War Zone (TWZ) reported.
CENTCOM’s footage included additional clips of HIMARS firing short-range ballistic missiles, with captions referencing “swift and decisive action.” Some imagery may depict both PrSM and ATACMS launches.
It remains unclear where PrSMs or ATACMS were launched from during strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury. However, PrSM’s roughly doubled range would significantly expand the number of targets U.S. forces could hold at risk across the region. This extended reach enhances the ability to strike time-sensitive targets, including missile launchers and air defense systems, which have been central to the conflict.
Ballistic missiles’ high speed, particularly in the terminal phase, makes them well-suited for engaging hardened and rapidly relocating assets. Early use against air defense and radar sites could support subsequent operations.
Next-gen strike missile
Developed by Lockheed Martin, PrSM is the next-generation surface-to-surface weapon system designed to enhance deterrence and provide advanced capabilities for neutralizing, suppressing, and destroying targets at depth.
The missile measures 156 inches (396 cm) in length and 17 inches (43 cm) in diameter, and features a modular, open systems architecture designed to support integration and future upgrades. Compared to ATACMS, it offers double the loadout capacity, carrying two missiles per launch pod.
In October 2025, US soldiers completed a series of flight tests at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. It marked the first time U.S. troops fired PrSM from a HIMARS and from both pods of the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System.
PrSM provides a substantial range increase, with the Increment 1 variant demonstrating strikes out to roughly 310 miles (500 kilometers), and future versions targeting up to 400 miles (650 kilometers) or more, potentially exceeding 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). By contrast, ATACMS reaches about 186 miles (300 kilometers). The extended range expands target coverage and enhances capabilities against time-sensitive and hardened targets, TWZ reported.
According to experts, combat use of PrSM against Iran could also signal capabilities to other US adversaries. The missile’s extended range is frequently highlighted in discussions of a potential high-end conflict in the Pacific, where land-based launch options are more constrained.
An anti-ship variant, known as Increment 2, is also in development. This version adds an advanced seeker and is designed to engage moving targets, further expanding the system’s operational flexibility and effectiveness in maritime operations, according to TWZ.