This precision strike missile system can also hit moving targets

Lockheed Martin successfully completed its most complicated Precision Strike Ballistic missile test yet in its bid in the  Army Tactical Missile System, PSRM, tender. The test is for the next generation precision ballistic missiles which are set to replace its present-day system, the ATAMCS. The test, in White Sands New Mexico, was for an 85 km range version and was 91 seconds long. The test conditions were ver harsh because of Covid-19, with the operators wearing masks and gloves and all the systems controls sterilized before.

Precision Strike missile – Cheap alternative to smart missiles

The precision Strike missiles are “dumb” trajectory ballistic missiles turned smart by adding a cheap GPS guidance system to them. They can take out almost all target as long as it’s not an ultra-precision, like a specific window in a house, or moving targets. However, the new system should also be able to take out moving targets as well (more beneath).

Precision strike missile systems represent a quantum leap in battlefield efficiency and cost-effectiveness. On the one hand, they replace those expensive smart TV, inertia or guided or cruise missiles, and most importantly air force flight time to launch those fancy missiles, and on the other hand, improves efficiency by cutting the response time for backup precision bombing. The reason is ground forces operate these systems and not a totally different arm like air force or navy.

Replacing the aging ATAMCS

The US DOD wants the current upgrade because its one of the main new warfare tactics planned for future combat and it wants a more capable, accurate, lethal and longer range system to do that than its present system, the ATAMCS. The ATAMCS, has a max range of 300 km and the range of the new system will be 60-500+ km and, as mentioned, also Hit Moving Targets.

Israel, for example, fully integrated its own precision strike missile battalions into the IDF. Specifically with missiles like the Accular, Extra and most of all Lora and Predatory Hawk, all part of its arsenal. They turned it into a centerpiece in any planned future warfare strategy and probably already used some of them in Syria against Iranian targets (according to foreign reports).

When the system is fully operational, its range will cover 60 – 500+ kilometers. In the test itself all the systems worked flawlessly. Previous successful tests were for 240 KM, in December, and 180 KM in March. But ironically, this test with a shorter range of 85 km, was actually the hardest. And the shorter the range, the harder and more complex the test is, actually.

Each launcher holds 2 missiles and they will be shot out of the same Himars or MLRS as the ATAMCS. It will also use most of the same computers and software as the ATAMCS. Therefore there is no need to make new expensive launchers and software so integration should fast, easy, cheap, and seamless for the operators. At most learn how to load the new missiles.

The shorter range the test – the bigger success

But shouldn’t it be the other way around? The longer-range the test, the harder it is with an upward difficulty curve? No, says Gaylia Campbell, Lockheed VP. Because the engine is so powerful with its energy burst in takeoff, that means the shorter ranges actually puts more stress on the missile and its motor. Almost immediately after it launches, it has to start orienting for descent and impact.  “the missile almost has to start tipping over as soon as it comes out of the launcher, it has to burn off a lot of energy(and is) very fast to hit a target so close”, says Brig. Gen. John Rafferty director of the Long Range Precision Fires program. In this sense, it’s like a Ferrari going 300 MPH in the freeway, but then all of a sudden needs to slow down to exit it.

The system is supposed to fully enter service by 2023, when LM delivers its first 30 missiles to the army. And until then there will be 4 more flight tests. In the test itself, all the systems worked flawlessly. Next are tests for 300 km and eventually one for more than 500 km. Although how far exactly Lockheed Martin won’t say. And One test will also include two missiles shot one after the other. The 30 missiles planned to enter service in 2023, will only be for stationary targets. The upgrade to moving targets with a new seeker should be in 2025.

Can hit moving targets like smart missiles…but still a ballistic missile?

Being able to hit moving targets with these missiles is interesting because the whole idea of these precision strike missiles is to CHEAPEN warfare, NOT to make them complex and expensive. And that is exactly what separates them from those expensive smart missiles with complex homing like TV’s, IR and more. With these missiles, you just add a cheap GPS to a “dumb” ballistic missile which turn it “smart”. And that turns those ballistic missiles into precision strike missiles.

So we can only assume Lockheed Martin found a way to add a CHEAP special seeker to the warhead, retaining its cheap advantage of using a ballistic missile but adding a complex ability to hit moving targets. And that cheaper way, acording to Breaking Defense, is with a new seeker which detects Radio or Radar emissions. Hence it can only hit SOME moving targets, like ships and radar stations, but NOT all.

Open architecture modular design

The systems is modular open architecture – meaning developers can easily and quickly add upgrades, like this new seeker. All they have to do is remove the old pat with a newer upgrade and everything else stays the same – Even parts that are NOT Lockheed Martins. Like Plug and play. Even though LM is the one developing the system, because the DOD is funding it, the US gov actually owns the system and all its intellectual property.

Raytheon Dropped out- only Lockheed Martin left

As of now, only Lockheed Martin is in the tender race as Raytheon, the other competitor, dropped out in March. The reason is they couldn’t solve a technical issue in time for its test so DOD canceled the funding. “The decision was made to not provide additional money to Raytheon to help them try to meet the requirements to get into the next phase of the competition and, really, that meant to have a successful flight test,” Brig. Gen. John Rafferty told Defense News. By contrast, Lockheed Martin already did two successful flight tests of the system. Of course, having one competitor is never good…then it is actually NOT a competition. However, since the funding and all the IP belongs to the army anyhow, so there is really no dangerous dependency. Lockheed Martin in this sense, is actually like a subcontractor, not a bidder.

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