El Ejército de Australia ensayó por primera vez el misil táctico Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) desde un lanzador terrestre móvil HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery System), ambos sistemas adquiridos a EEUU. El ensayo forma parte acuerdos recientes entre ambos países, para avanzar en programas de largo plazo para la producción, sostenimiento y nuevos desarrollos del sistema PrSM en Australia. En el test, el PrSM a alcanzó su blanco a 300km en 4 minutos, lo cual otorga a esa fuerza terrestre extraordinarias capacidades de fuego a largas distancias, en tiempos muy breves. Es importante destacar que el alcance máximo del PrSM es de 500 km.
The Australian Army has successfully test-fired its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the first time at the Mount Bundey Training Area during Exercise Talisman Sabre, involving the US and several other countries.
The army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launched the missile, which struck its target over 300 kilometers (186 miles) away within four minutes and three seconds.
The test occurred “two years ahead of schedule and followed the delivery of the first PrSM a year ahead of schedule, as well as the first HIMARS two months ahead of schedule,” according to the defense ministry’s press release.
“This successful launch is a significant milestone in the Government’s plan to deliver a twenty-five-fold increase to Army’s long-range strike capability,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy stated.
This follows Canberra and Washington’s memorandum of understanding signed last month for the production, sustainment, and follow-on development of the PrSM program, enabling Australian forces to access the latest missile available to the US.
Precision Strike Missile
Australia’s previous long-range strike capability was limited to a maximum of about 40 kilometers (24.8 miles).
However, its recent acquisition and testing of the PrSM significantly boost its defense posture and extend deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
It is “all about deterring war through strength,” ABC Australia quoted Conroy as saying.
The Lockheed Martin-manufactured PrSM, featuring a modular and open systems architecture, can engage targets from up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) away with high precision and minimal warning time.
“When you think about having six to seven minutes rather than 15 to 20 minutes, that’s a lot less time for [a target] to pack up and roll out if they learn that they are being shot at,” US Army Chief Technology Officer Alex Miller said.
There are also plans to expand the missile’s range to over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), in addition to upgrading its sensors and warheads.
The PrSM can be launched from the MLRS M270 and M142 HIMARS systems, with Australia having received its first HIMARS from the US in March of this year.
Fuente: https://thedefensepost.com
