Image: from NexDef International X @nex_def
By Harrison Vane | Open Chronicle Defense & Security Correspondent
BETHESDA, MD. — In a landmark expansion of the American defense industrial base, the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin announced Wednesday a massive production hike for the Army’s newest long-range weapon. Following its successful combat debut during Operation Epic Fury, the annual production target for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) will be quadrupled, soaring from 400 to 1,600 units per year.
The decision follows a high-stakes campaign in which the PrSM was credited with “blinding” sophisticated coastal defenses and striking deep-tier command hubs.
BREAKING; Pentagon has announced new contracts to boost weapons production amid the ongoing war with IRAN!!
BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin will quadruple production of seekers for the THAAD interceptor; Lockheed Martin will accelerate production of the Precision Strike Missile… pic.twitter.com/QrqOvNL54G
— Global Surveillance (@Globalsurv) March 25, 2026
A New Standard for Precision
The PrSM, designed to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), proved its worth by offering a range in excess of 310 miles. Fired from M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS launchers, the munition allowed U.S. and allied forces to strike Iranian military infrastructure from the Arabian Peninsula, effectively bypassing traditional defensive barriers.
“Lockheed Martin is mobilizing the full might of its industrial and technological power,” the company stated. The surge involves “targeted investments” in advanced tooling and facility modernization to slash the traditionally long lead times associated with high-end munitions.
Long-Term Industrial Strategy
Beyond the immediate numbers, the agreement opens the door for a seven-year contract. This shift is intended to provide subcontractors the stability needed to invest in automation and scale, ensuring that the supply chain can keep pace with the “Arsenal of Freedom” mandate.
Under Secretary of Defense Michael Duffey emphasized that empowering the factory floor creates a “decisive and enduring advantage” that allows the U.S. to outpace any potential adversary in a protracted conflict. As the PrSM becomes the new backbone of Army long-range fires, the focus now turns to how quickly these new production lines can be brought online.