HIMARS and M270 rocket systems will gain enhanced strike capabilities General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) plans to equip Extended Range GMLRS (ER-GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) with a new warhead that lets them engage multiple targets at longer ranges.
Naval News reports this with reference to Mike Raker, head of GA-EMS Weapons. The concept is to outfit ER-GMLRS and PrSM rounds with a warhead containing three sub-munitions of the Long Range Maneuvering Projectile (LRMP) type.
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Recall that LRMP is a hybrid between a 155-mm artillery projectile and a gliding, guided bomb (essentially a guided airburst munition). GA-EMS recently reported successful tests of that munition. It was first demonstrated in 2023, and the company won a U.S. Navy development contract late last year.
The LRMP glide-projectile has a range of up to 120 km, so paired with ER-GMLRS which can reach up to 150 km this effectively yields a maximum strike reach of 270 km.
In practice the range will of course be lower, and a figure of about 250 km is already being stated, which is still a very welcome bonus extending the reach of standard munitions for HIMARS and M270 rocket systems.
It is noted that one ER-GMLRS will carry three LRMP sub-munitions, each of which has a high-precision guidance system, can engage moving targets and can operate without satellite navigation.
In other words, a single HIMARS or M270 round could potentially strike three targets with one shot. LRMP is also said to give these rocket systems a completely new anti-ship potential.
Moreover, the same type of warhead is planned for the new PrSM ballistic missile, although it has not been disclosed how many LRMP sub-munitions its warhead will carry. Still, the same advantages apply the ability to hit multiple different targets with one shot and an increased range.
Regarding PrSM, earlier this month it became known that the U.S. demonstrated the new PrSM Inc. 4 aerobalistic missile with a ramjet, which reaches 800 km when launched from HIMARS. The LRMP integration is planned for the PrSM Inc. 3 modification with an estimated range of about 500 km, and with the new warhead that range would grow to 600+ km.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that the U.S. will order PrSM ballistic missiles for HIMARS worth $4.9 billion.
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