US Army pushes M-LRPSM through with new Lockheed contract

The US Army is pushing its Mobile-Long Range Precision Strike Missile (M-LRPSM) requirement ahead with a Phase 2 contract award to Lockheed Martin. Lockheed has offered the Spike NLOS missile from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems for the programme, and was awarded a Phase 1 contract in August, the follow-on contract reflects the Army’s determined drive to rapidly modernise its formations. 

Under Phase 2, which is valued at $30 million, “Lockheed Martin will build and deliver hardware for safety confirmation testing, including installation of the Spike NLOS system onto an Infantry Utility Vehicle to demonstrate its safe and effective operation in various environments,” the October 15 press release states.

Under Phase 1, the Spike NLOS missile was used to engage obscured targets at long-range. During the test, three ground-launched missiles fired from a vehicle successfully hit their targets. The demonstration included one unobstructed and two obstructed targets, highlighting the system’s ability to engage without a direct line of sight. 

Spike NLOS has also been launched from an Apache AH-64Ev6 helicopter, and by the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Yuma Proving Ground, which demonstrated the capabilities that the missile is expected to provide under the M-LRPSM contract, the press release adds. 

Calibre comment: M-LRPSM and the response to change

The US Army is planning to convert up to 20 of its brigades to Mobile Brigade Combat Teams over the next five years. At present, there are five and there was just one in 2024. They represent a transformation of units to make them more mobile. A National Guard Infantry Brigade Combat Team tested a new potential force structure earlier this year. According to the Army Times: “The mobile brigade combat team force structure focuses on three infantry battalions with organic logistics support and the addition of a multi-purpose company in each battalion and a multi-functional reconnaissance company (MFRC) in the brigade.

Battalion scout, mortar and assault platoons move to a battalion multi-purpose company to provide ground and aerial reconnaissance, indirect fire support, launched effects, counter unmanned aerial systems and deception capabilities to fix and attrit enemy forces that allows for infantry companies to close with and destroy the enemy.” 

The MFRC is expected to conduct reconnaissance and strike operations in the deep areas of the frontline. So it is likely that the M-LRPSM will be used to support this type of engagement. The response has been a fast change to the perceived lethality on modern battlefields, which can make conventional units focused around armour and traditional means of transit vulnerable. By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on October 16, 2025. The lead image shows a concept image of an Apache attack helicopter firing the Spike NLOS missile. Credit: Lockheed Martin.