One week after the launch of the joint U.S.–Israel operation against Iran, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the use of Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) with a range of up to 500 kilometers.
This marks the first time the United States has used these missile systems in combat, representing a significant step in the strategic capabilities of the U.S. military in the Middle East.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, emphasized:
“I could not be more proud of our men and women in uniform who leverage innovation to create dilemmas for the enemy.”
The PrSM missiles, produced by Lockheed Martin, have a range of 60 to 499 kilometers and are compatible with M270 MLRS and HIMARS systems. These missiles are designed to replace the ATACMS, doubling the missile load a HIMARS launcher can carry and offering major tactical advantages for rapid and precise strike operations.
Their strategic advantage is particularly significant for U.S. bases in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries, which are located within roughly 400 kilometers of Iran.
The use of these missiles also reflects the post-INF Treaty reality, after the United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, expanding its ability to deploy long-range missile capabilities.
In what officials describe as a historic first, the long-range Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) were used during Operation Epic Fury, providing a powerful deep-strike capability for U.S. forces in the region.
