Low-Cost Long-Range Weapons Become Focus: U.S. Army Seeks 1,000km Missile Capable of Launching from HIMARS

The U.S. Army is actively pursuing enhanced long-range precision strike capabilities by seeking a new missile designed for affordability and extended reach. The "Affordable High-Speed Strike" (AHSS) missile concept, recently presented, aims for a range beyond 1,000 kilometers, targeting high-value enemy assets like air bases and air defense systems.

This initiative addresses the recent high consumption of existing precision-strike missiles and Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). The AHSS program emphasizes rapid reaction, mobility, deployability, and survivability, with a particular focus on "offensive counter-air" missions. The Army is exploring various design concepts, including traditional ballistic missile configurations and designs incorporating ramjet or scramjet propulsion systems.

Crucially, the AHSS missile is intended to be compatible with existing platforms, including the M142 HIMARS and M270 multiple rocket systems, as well as future unmanned "Common All-Domain Command and Control" (CAC2S) launchers. This interoperability aims to leverage current infrastructure while developing next-generation capabilities. The U.S. Army has allocated over $94.2 million for research and development in fiscal year 2027, with Australia joining as an international partner.