Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with the US Army, has conducted successful production qualification flight tests of the new PrSM tactical missile, aiming to replace the ATACMS missile, according to reports from RIA Novosti.
In a statement, Lockheed Martin announced that they had successfully completed the qualification tests in partnership with the US Army. One PrSM missile was launched from the HIMARS launcher and successfully hit the designated target.
This news comes after earlier reports of the US military’s successful test of a prototype laser-based short-range air defense system, specifically designed to combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The laser tests, conducted at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, were chosen for integration into the Stryker combat vehicles.
Robert Rash, the head of the US Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, stated that lasers have proven effective against UAVs, but there are still challenges when it comes to intercepting missiles, artillery shells, and mortar rounds.
He added that while the development cost of these air defense systems is high, the cost per shot is lower compared to conventional ammunition.
Earlier, military expert Konstantin Sivkov compared the Russian hypersonic missile “Kinjal” with the American AGM-183A ARRW. The latest tests for the latter took place on March 13th.
