Long Range Precision Fires Advanced Technology

The Long Range Precision Fires Advanced Technology program (PE 0603464A) is a critical Army Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on maturing and demonstrating advanced technologies to enhance the effectiveness of long-range cannon artillery and missile systems. The overarching goal is to destroy, neutralize, or suppress enemy forces at extended ranges, while integrating fire support assets into combined arms operations. This program supports the Army's Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) Modernization Priority and aligns with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy.

AF2: Long Range Maneuverable Fires (LRMF) Advanced Tech aims to develop next-generation extended range weapon system technologies for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). Objectives include increasing survivability, penetration, and range in complex Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) environments. Key efforts involve maturing air-breathing propulsion concepts, integrating advanced seeker and sensor technologies, improving missile survivability through red-force modeling, and developing novel warheads for enhanced lethality. In FY 2026, the program will fabricate prototype missiles, conduct flight demonstrations, refine subsystem models, and document performance to support transition to acquisition programs. Work is performed by the Army's Aviation & Missile Center.

AG5: Extended Range Artillery Munition Suite Advanced Tech focused on maturing and demonstrating extended range artillery technologies, including advanced projectile propulsion and guidance systems to improve range and accuracy. The project also explored automated cannon artillery solutions to increase rate of fire and reduce soldier burden. This line was terminated after FY 2024, with ongoing technology maturation efforts realigned to other projects.

BO8: Long Range Precision Fires Advanced Tech (Congressional Adds) provided targeted funding for specific technology demonstrations, including advanced caliber munitions, aluminum-lithium alloy solid rocket flight demonstrations, digital engineering for missile technology, hypersonic metal alloys, joined tandem wing steerable munitions, XM1155 glide flight projectiles, and radio frequency photonic systems. These efforts were intended to address Congressional interest in advancing specific enabling technologies for long-range precision fires.

BY2: Advanced Hypersonic Technology is dedicated to developing and maturing critical technologies for strategic hypersonic missiles. Objectives include advancing high-temperature materials, thermal protection systems, navigation systems, data links, and terminal sensors to support hypersonic weapon delivery systems capable of defeating A2/AD threats and engaging time-critical targets. FY 2026 efforts focus on maturing assured navigation, advanced materials, terminal sensors, and propulsion technologies, with some work transitioning to support the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon program.

CE9: Armaments Advanced Technology seeks to improve the defeat of imprecisely located and moving targets by advancing component technologies such as multi-mode hardened seekers, advanced guidance, navigation and control, and in-flight update capabilities. FY 2026 activities include maturing advanced targeting and course correction technologies, optimizing artillery propulsion systems, and developing multidomain munition architectures capable of integrating kinetic and non-kinetic payloads. These efforts are designed to maximize effects and survivability in contested battlespaces.

CZ8: PrSM Modular Payload Advanced Development supports the maturation and demonstration of modular, autonomous, and cluster munition policy-compliant payloads for the Precision Strike Missile. The goal is to enable engagement of dispersed, moving, and poorly located targets at extended ranges. FY 2026 plans include maturing submunition guidance, warhead performance, autonomous collaboration algorithms, and demonstrating these capabilities on surrogate airframes. The project also includes the development of Sensor Fuzed Weapons for integration with the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, focusing on optimizing submunition design, targeting algorithms, and payload dispense mechanisms.

DM5: Affordable High Speed Strike is a new start in FY 2026, aiming to develop affordable, responsive high-speed strike missile technologies for Army theater-level strike missions. The project will focus on mission analysis, system design, and the development of advanced propulsion, warhead, guidance, and control technologies suitable for integration onto mobile Army launch platforms. This effort is intended to provide the Army with a cost-effective, rapidly deployable, and survivable high-speed strike capability unconstrained by previous treaty limitations.