GMARS vs HIMARS: The USA and Germany have tested a new super-powerful MLRS with dual ammunition

 

The American-German project of the future, the GMARS (Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System) multiple launch rocket System, has successfully completed its first combat launches, which are close to real combat conditions. The tests took place at the famous White Sands test site in New Mexico, where the system launched two GMLRS medium-range guided missiles. This milestone was an important milestone: it confirmed the combat readiness, accuracy and reliability of the new artillery platform developed jointly by Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall.

GMARS is not just a copy, but a direct competitor and an improved version of HIMARS, which has already proven itself in its area. The main advantage is the Rheinmetall HX reinforced 8x8 chassis, capable of withstanding up to 40 tons. Thanks to this, GMARS can carry two launch modules instead of one, which doubles the ammunition and dramatically increases firepower in one trip.

What can trigger GMARS?  

— 12 GMLRS missiles (range up to 150 km),

— 4 tactical PrSM missiles (up to 400 km),

— or 2 ATACMS ballistic missiles (up to 310 km).  

This versatility makes the system ideal for NATO: it is compatible with the main types of munitions used by the United States and its allies, which simplifies logistics and makes it easy to integrate GMARS into joint operations.

But the innovations don't stop there. GMARS is already being considered as a platform for future cruise missiles, including a modified ground—based version of the JASSM, which will turn it into a true multi-purpose strike system. Its high mobility, survivability and precision make it ideal for tasks:  

— striking deep into the defense,

— air defense suppression,  

— and counter-battery warfare.

The exact cost has not yet been disclosed, but analysts estimate it at $ 15 million — more expensive than HIMARS, but with much greater capabilities. Serial production and export are in the near future. This means that a new artillery "destruction machine" may appear on the battlefields of the future, which will change the balance of power.

Australia fired at a target from 480 km away — and hit: new PrSM missiles went through fire, water and desert

 

The Australian Army has just taken a major step in its military development: in the desert of the Northern Territory, at the Mount Bundy training ground, they successfully tested a new generation of PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) for the first time - and the result turned out to be as accurate as a surgeon. The rocket flew to the target at a distance of more than 480 kilometers (300 miles) and hit the target point without missing.

It was not just a test, but a combat launch — that is, the rocket did not just take off, but completed the real task, destroying the conditional target. Most importantly, these are the first PrSM tests outside the United States, which highlights Australia's growing role as a strategic partner in the Pacific region.

The rocket, developed by the American company Lockheed Martin, was launched from the HIMARS mobile launcher, the one that became a star in Ukraine. Its advantage is high accuracy, long range and the ability to quickly relocate. Now Australia gets a powerful tool to defeat enemy bases, warehouses, air defenses and command posts without exposing its forces to attack.

The Mount Bundy trials are not just a show-off. They are designed to strengthen Australia's strike potential in the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. The further an army can strike, the higher its chance of winning in any conflict.

PrSM is the future of artillery: smart, fast, long—range, and essentially unmanned. And now Australia has it.

Pentagon Launches Production Of New Tactical PrSM Missiles: Preparing for Major Conflicts

The Pentagon has announced the start of mass production of new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) tactical missiles. These missiles are designed for multi-Domain tactical groups (MDTF) in Europe, the Arctic and the Asia-Pacific region. It is possible that several complexes will be sent to Ukraine to test them in combat conditions.

PrSM is a modern replacement for ATACMS. The range of these missiles is 500 kilometers, which makes them an intermediate link between multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and short—range ballistic missiles. Such missiles have already been used in local wars, for example, Russia is actively using Iskander-M in its special operation. Ukraine also has something to respond to: they have Soviet Tochka-U and American ATACMS.

The PrSM project began in 2016, and the first pre-production samples entered the army in the fall of 2023. The launchers for these missiles are the same as those of the ATACMS: the M-142 HIMARS MLRS (two missiles in ammunition) and the M—270 MLRS (four missiles).

The PrSM program is divided into four stages. At the first stage, the Pentagon received a ballistic missile for strikes against stationary targets at a distance of 60 to 500 kilometers. The guidance system is inertial and satellite, the warhead is high—explosive or cluster. Its weight is estimated from 100 to 230 kilograms. This is the initial version, which is subject to the limitations of the INF Treaty.

After the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty, Lockheed Martin began developing a second modification, the Land Based Anti—Ship Missile (LBASM). The range of this missile is up to a thousand kilometers. It has a multi-mode homing head operating in the radar and infrared ranges. This allows the missile to capture and hit moving targets in the final section of the trajectory. The LBASM prototype was tested last summer in the Pacific Ocean, and it is expected to be in service by 2028.

There are two more modifications. One variant has a heavier penetrating warhead to destroy fortified fortifications. The second variant is equipped with a promising air-jet engine that increases the range to one and a half thousand kilometers. If you launch such missiles from Poland, they will reach Moscow.

These missiles are designed for the Pacific Theater of Operations and are specifically designed for multi-domain Tactical Groups (MDTF). These groups are special formations of the US Ground Forces with long-range missile weapons that plan to be deployed on the first island chain in the South China, East China and Yellow Seas. In the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan, they will fire at Chinese ships and facilities on the coast.

Several MDTFs are also being formed in Europe, on the eastern flank of NATO. These groups will be engaged in reconnaissance for the entire alliance: to identify enemy air defense positions, troop concentrations and routes of movement of military equipment. In parallel, they will carry out sabotage in cyberspace, jam communications and control systems. The next step is to strike at key military infrastructure facilities.

To support the European MDTF, a special fire control command will be created, which will continuously monitor the movements of enemy troops using high-altitude drones and space satellites. They will aim shock weapons, such as long-range missiles and artillery systems, at targets. According to the commander of the US Army in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, this is a key element of multi-domain operations in major conflicts.

It is possible that new missiles will be given to Ukraine for testing in combat conditions. Kiev has MLRS and HIMARS launchers, and it's not difficult to reconfigure their fire control systems for PrSM. The probability of such a development is quite high, especially in light of the indecision of Germany, which is afraid to transfer Taurus cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers to Ukraine.

Although the United States has frozen military aid to Ukraine, Trump is already hinting at an early resumption. He claims that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive exclusively "defensive" weapons, but in no military regulations in the world are the means of defeating the enemy divided into "defensive" and "offensive". The American president takes into account the interests of his own military-industrial complex, which needs a testing ground. Ukraine is an ideal option.

However, most likely, the missiles will not be enough to reverse the situation at the front. Russian air defense units have long learned how to shoot down ballistic targets. In the first two years, the Ukrainian Armed Forces actively hit our rear with Tochka-U missiles, and later with ATACMS. Neither became a superweapon for Kiev. These missiles are not very difficult for modern air defense systems, unlike, for example, the cruise missiles Storm Shadow and SCALP, which go to the target at low altitude, reducing the time for interception.

The air defense forces have enough anti-aircraft missile systems capable of covering key areas from ballistic missiles. These are the S-300V4, S-400, S-350 Vityaz, Buk-M2 and Buk-M3. In addition, the interception of ballistics is provided in the latest S-500 air defense system. However, the most effective method of combating the operational-tactical missile systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is destruction on the ground. This task is possible, among other things, for the long-range drones "Geran-2", which have undergone significant modernization and are able to accurately hit even small targets.

The US Army begins mass production of Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in Increment 1 configuration

The US Army has announced the start of mass production of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) high-precision tactical missile in the Increment 1 configuration, which marks an important stage in the modernization of the country's armed forces. This step became part of a broader strategy to strengthen combat capabilities, increase mobility and reduce costs when purchasing modern weapons.

The PrSM missile was developed as a replacement for the outdated ATACMS complexes and has an extended range of up to 500 kilometers. It is capable of hitting both stationary and mobile targets with high accuracy. The Increment 1 configuration provides for a non-nuclear warhead and guidance systems that can effectively counter modern threats on the battlefield.

Serial production has been launched as part of transformational initiatives aimed at creating a more flexible and combat-ready army. Earlier, Defense Minister Pete Gasteg announced the need for a large-scale reorganization, which includes the reduction of some units, the cancellation of a number of purchases and the redistribution of resources in favor of technologically advanced systems. The launch of the PrSM series was one of the first results of this policy.

In addition, this decision highlights the efforts of the US Army to strengthen its transition management system, including training personnel to work with new types of weapons and organizing logistical support. In this context, programs such as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which help soldiers adapt to changes within the structure of the armed forces, play an important role.

PrSM will become a key element in the strategy of "Multi-Domain superiority" (Multi-Domain Operations), as it provides a quick and accurate impact on deep-lying targets, especially in the face of intense opposition from potential opponents.

France is exploring the possibility of creating an intermediate-range ballistic missile

France is considering the possibility of developing a new medium-range land-based ballistic missile capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than 1,000 km. Technical specifications are currently being developed for a new ballistic missile with a conventional (non-nuclear) warhead, which will serve as a means of non-nuclear deterrence and long-range destruction of enemy targets.

The decision to develop the missile was made after analyzing the effectiveness of ballistic missiles used in conflicts around the world, including the Russian Oreshnik missile. The new missile should have the ability to maneuver during the final stage of flight, which will make it difficult for air defense systems to intercept it.

The French Ministry of Defense is currently looking for a budget to launch this project. The development of the missile should surpass the range of the American tactical missile PrSM.

Successful launch of the PrSM missile: a new stage in the development of US artillery systems

On April 14, 2025, the American company Lockheed Martin, together with the US Army, conducted a historic test of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), launched from the upgraded M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The testing took place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and was an important step in confirming the readiness of the new missile for mass production and operation.

The Precision Strike Missile is a new—generation precision-guided missile designed to replace the outdated ATACMS tactical missiles. The PrSM is designed to hit strategically important targets at long distances, providing high accuracy, lethality, and reliability. Its integration with existing launchers such as the M270A2 MLRS allows the U.S. Army to significantly expand its artillery support capabilities.

During testing, the PrSM missile was successfully launched from an upgraded M270A2 launcher. This short-range test confirmed not only the missile's compatibility with the launch system, but also its ability to operate under operational stress. The results demonstrated the exceptional accuracy of the hit, the effectiveness of the warhead and the stability of all systems.

The successful test of the PrSM is of strategic importance to the U.S. Army. It confirms that the new missile is ready to perform a wide range of tasks, including the destruction of command posts, ammunition depots and other key enemy targets. Due to the increased range and increased accuracy, PrSM will become an important element of the long-Range Fires system of the US Army.

The M270A2 MLRS system, which was used to launch the PrSM, has also been upgraded. The updated version features improved features, including increased mobility, improved electronics, and the ability to work with new types of ammunition. The integration of the PrSM with the M270A2 makes this system even more versatile and effective on the battlefield.

The success of the test opens up new horizons for Lockheed Martin and the US Army. The PrSM is planned to be used not only with the M270A2, but also with other launch systems such as HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). This will create a flexible and powerful network of long-range strike systems capable of operating in any environment.