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Articles by Darrell Ames
Five Defense Companies Selected to Develop Precision Strike Missile Increment 4 Prototypes
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — The U.S. Army awarded five separate Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements on Sept. 29, 2026, to develop prototype systems for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4. The recipients are Anduril, Castelion, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Mach Industries, and RTX.
Leadership Through Action: Strengthening the LTAMDS Industrial Base
14 Lt. Col. Spencer Farmer, Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor program manager, joins Cristek employees during a recent site visit in North Billerica, Massachusetts. Farmer met with the workforce to reinforce the connection between their contributions to the LTAMDS industrial base and the Soldiers who depend on reliable air and missile defense capabilities in the field. The visit highlighted the importance of every supplier and component in delivering dependable capability to the warfighter.
Army Expands Hydra-70 Rocket Supply Chain Through Innovative OTA Agreements
14 Hydra-70mm Rockets, Family of Systems Date Taken: 08.01.2026 Date Posted: 08.05.2026 14:10 Photo ID: 9852272 VIRIN: 260801-A-UG834-3642 Resolution: 770x567 Size: 96.75 KB Location: REDSTONE ARSENAL, ALABAMA, US Hometown: HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, US Web Views: 4 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN
Army Expands Hydra-70 Rocket Supply Chain Through Innovative OTA Agreements
Huntsville, Ala. - The Department of Army successfully leveraged Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements to diversify the Hydra-70 rocket supply chain and revitalize its defense industrial base. The Aviation Rocket and Small Guided Munitions (ARSGM) Product Office utilized the One Nation Innovation (ONI) marketplace to award contracts recently to four defense contractors: Firehawk\, iRocket\, Nammo Perry\, and Albers.
U.S. Army Awards replacing a 1-Year Undefinitized Contract Action with a 7-Year Undefinitized Contract Action
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. —The Army has awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. a $53,859,843,289 modification to the PATRIOT Advance Capability-3 Production program contract. The award replaces the FY26 one-year undefinitized contract action with a seven-year UCA in support of the future fiscal year 2026-2032 multi-year procurement contract for PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors and increases the not-to-exceed ceiling to $58,620,843,289.
The U.S. Army’s PAE Fires Demonstrates Autonomy and One-to-Many Control with LRPM at African Lion 2026
TAN-TAN, Morocco - The U.S. Army’s Launched Effects Lethal program\, Long Range Precision Munition (LRPM)\, managed by the Army’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Fires\, just achieved a significant milestone by having an operational Army user employ five LRPMs in Tan-Tan\, Morocco during African Lion 2026 (AL26). In early May 2026 the LRPM program supported the “deep strike” portion of the AL26 exercise.
U.S. Army advances accelerated PAC-3 MSE production through contract action
13 U.S. Army advances accelerated PAC-3 MSE production through contract action Your browser does not support the audio element. REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — April 10, 2026 — The U.S. government has awarded Lockheed Martin a $4.7 billion undefinitized contract action to support accelerated production of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, or PAC-3 MSE, interceptors.
Army and Navy Continue Tests of Hypersonic Missile
13 A common hypersonic missile launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., on March 26, 2026. (Official DOW photo) Date Taken: 03.26.2026 Date Posted: 04.02.2026 12:10 Photo ID: 9595927 VIRIN: 260326-A-UG834-7703 Resolution: 3213x4709 Size: 2.56 MB Location: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, US Hometown: HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, US Web Views: 5 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN
PAE Fires Leaders Earn 2025 Army Acquisition Executive Excellence in Leadership Awards
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Exceptional leaders within the U.S. Army’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires have earned top honors in the 2025 Army Acquisition Executive Excellence in Leadership Awards, underscoring the organization’s commitment to delivering world-class capabilities to Soldiers. The annual AAE Excellence in Leadership Awards recognize exceptional performance and leadership across the Army acquisition workforce. This year’s PAE Fires awardees include: · Col.
PAE Fires Honored in 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Awards
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – One leader and one product office from the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires (PAE Fires) have been recognized in the 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Awards, highlighting the critical contributions of acquisition professionals who deliver advanced capabilities to Soldiers and strengthen national security.
PAE Fires Honored in 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Awards [Image 2 of 2]
12 The Lower Tier Interceptors Product Office received the prestigious David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award, one of the Department of Defense’s highest honors for acquisition teams. The award recognizes the office’s outstanding performance in delivering advanced integrated air and missile defense capabilities to protect U.S. forces and allies against evolving threats.
PAE Fires Honored in 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Awards [Image 1 of 2]
12 Mr. Jerad Mabon earned the Business Financial Management Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership and stewardship of resources supporting some of the Army’s most complex modernization efforts. Through disciplined financial management and innovative problem-solving, Mabon helped ensure critical programs remain on track to deliver capabilities that enhance readiness and strengthen the Joint Force.
PAE Fires Leaders Earn 2025 Army Acquisition Executive Excellence in Leadership Awards
12 PAE Fires Leaders Earn 2025 Army Acquisition Executive Excellence in Leadership Awards Your browser does not support the audio element. REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Exceptional leaders within the U.S. Army’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires have earned top honors in the 2025 Army Acquisition Executive Excellence in Leadership Awards, underscoring the organization’s commitment to delivering world-class capabilities to Soldiers.
History of the Army Acquisition Workforce and its Ongoing Transformation
From the earliest days of the American Revolution to the modern digital battlefield, the U.S. Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) has served as the engine behind the Army’s ability to equip, sustain and modernize the force. While Soldiers fight on the front lines, acquisition professionals fight behind the scenes, negotiating contracts, testing weapons systems, developing future capabilities and ensuring that America’s sons and daughters go into battle with the best equipment possible.
U.S. Army Completes M270A2 Launch of Extended Range GMLRS, Completes AW Qualification
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. — The Army successfully tested the Extended‑Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System at WhiteSands Missile Range, firing the Alternative‑Warhead variant from an M270A2 launcher for the first time. The flight verified the munition’s precision, lethality and seamless integration with the Army’s existing launchers, completing system qualification testing for the variant.
PAE Fires, CAML/MTC Product Offices Convene Industry Leaders to Expedite Wartime Technology
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – In a significant move to accelerate the delivery of advanced fires capabilities to the front lines, the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires hosted a combined Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher and Mobile Tactical Cannon Industry Day from Jan. 20–22, 2026. The three-day event drew strong interest from across the defense and commercial industrial base, with more than 70 domestic and international industry partners participating.
Senior Executive Service Reassignment Announced
Redstone Arsenal, Ala. – The U.S. Army announced today the reassignment of Ms. Miranda H. Oden, a distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service, effective Dec. 28, 2025.
WWII Industrial Surge [Image 1 of 3]
11 WWII industrial surge, Springfield Armory. Workers pack completed M1 Garand rifles for shipment (c. 1940s), emblematic of the Ordnance Department’s mass-production “arsenal of democracy” that armed U.S. forces at scale. (U.S. Army photo) Date Taken: 12.02.1942 Date Posted: 12.03.2025 13:55 Photo ID: 9419480 VIRIN: 421202-A-UG834-8387 Resolution: 266x266 Size: 25.91 KB Location: US Web Views: 1 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN GALLERY MORE LIKE THIS CONTROLLED VOCABULARY KEYWORDS TAGS
Cold War / “Big Five” legacy, JSMC Lima [Image 2 of 3]
11 Cold War / “Big Five” legacy, JSMC Lima. At the Army-owned Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, an M1A2 Abrams turret is boresight-calibrated before being mated to its hull, showing the Army, industry model for heavy armor production.
Modernization & scaling, HIMARS/GMLRS [Image 3 of 3]
11 Modernization & scaling, HIMARS/GMLRS. DoD acquisition leaders tour the Camden, Arkansas facility that produces Army precision-fires launchers and munitions, highlighting contemporary government–industry coordination to surge capacity. (U.S. Army photo) Date Taken: 06.17.2024 Date Posted: 12.03.2025 13:55 Photo ID: 9419487 VIRIN: 240617-A-UG834-9143 Resolution: 316x316 Size: 46.07 KB Location: US Web Views: 1 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN GALLERY MORE LIKE THIS CONTROLLED VOCABULARY KEYWORDS TAGS
A New Chapter in Army Acquisition: RCCTO, PEO MS, and Additional Elements Merge into PAE Fires
11 U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Francisco J. Lozano, Director of PAE-Fires. Date Taken: 11.07.2025 Date Posted: 11.14.2025 17:49 Photo ID: 9389129 VIRIN: 251107-A-UG834-3276 Resolution: 3588x4485 Size: 3.06 MB Location: REDSTONE ARSENAL, ALABAMA, US Hometown: HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, US Web Views: 5 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN MORE LIKE THIS ASSOCIATED NEWS A New Chapter in Army Acquisition: RCCTO, PEO MS, and Additional Elements Merge into PAE Fires CONTROLLED VOCABULARY KEYWORDS TAGS
Army, DIU Select Anduril to Advance Next-Generation Counter-UAS Fire Control Capabilities | Soldier Systems Daily
Army, DIU Select Anduril to Advance Next-Generation Counter-UAS Fire Control Capabilities HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, in coordination with Defense Innovation Unit, successfully completed the C-UAS fire control solution competition, selecting Anduril as the winner. This result represents a critical step in identifying and integrating the most effective fire control solutions to counter the rapidly evolving threat of unmanned aircraft systems.
Army, DIU Select Anduril to Advance Next-Generation Counter-UAS Fire Control Capabilities
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, in coordination with Defense Innovation Unit, successfully completed the C-UAS fire control solution competition, selecting Anduril as the winner. This result represents a critical step in identifying and integrating the most effective fire control solutions to counter the rapidly evolving threat of unmanned aircraft systems.
Soldiers Complete Successful Flight Test Series of the U.S. Army’s Precision Strike Missile
Redstone Arsenal, Ala. – In a significant step towards force modernization, the U.S. Army successfully completed the Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation on 26 September 2025 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. During the IOT&E, four PrSM Increment 1 missiles were launched against targets arrayed in a simulated staging area 200 kilometers away.
Soldiers Complete Successful Flight Test Series of the U.S. Army’s Precision Strike Missile
11 The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) was recently fired from a U.S. Army M270A2 and HIMARS at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Republic of Poland’s NAREW Program Successfully Conducts Live-Fire Test
Ustka, Poland – September 22, 2025 – The Republic of Poland’s 37th Air and Missile Defence Squadron successfully conducted an Operational Demonstration of its WISŁA/Patriot program recently, highlighted by a live-fire flight test at the Centralny Poligon Sił Powietrzn/ [Central Air Force Training Ground] in Ustka, northern Poland. This event marked a significant milestone toward Poland’s declaration of Full Operational Capability.
Republic of Poland’s NAREW Program Successfully Conducts Live-Fire Test
11 First live-fire operational exercise for Poland’s IBCS was conducted during the "Iron Defender" exercise at in Ustka, Poland. (Photo Credit: Krzysztof Gumul/WCEO) Date Taken: 09.16.2025 Date Posted: 09.22.2025 19:21 Photo ID: 9332586 VIRIN: 250916-A-UG834-6308 Resolution: 2048x1150 Size: 411.26 KB Location: USTKA, PL Web Views: 4 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN
Army awards $9.8 billion contract enhancing readiness
REDSTONE ARSENAL—The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, in coordination with Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal, has definitized the Undefinitized Contract Action for a multi-year contract supporting production of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement system. The $9.8 billion contract, awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, covers fiscal years 2024 through 2026.
U.S. Army awards $9.8 billion contract, enhancing readiness and lethality
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, in coordination with Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal, has definitized the Undefinitized Contract Action for a multi-year contract supporting production of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement system. The $9.8 billion contract, awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, covers fiscal years 2024 through 2026.
U.S. Army awards $9.8 billion contract, enhancing readiness and lethality
11 Lockheed Martin and Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal have signed the FY24–26 PAC-3 MSE contract, strengthening the Army’s missile defense capabilities and supporting readiness for U.S. and allied forces worldwide. #MissileDefense #PAC3 #ArmyAcquisition #StrongerTogether Date Taken: 09.03.2025 Date Posted: 09.03.2025 15:23 Photo ID: 9290969 VIRIN: 250903-A-UG834-7205 Resolution: 6909x4728 Size: 3.41 MB Location: ALABAMA, US Web Views: 2 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN
Army Demonstrates Apache Counter-UAS Capabilities
MCAS New River, NC. — The Army successfully demonstrated the ability of AH-64E Apache helicopters to detect, track, and defeat unmanned aircraft systems, underscoring the attack helicopter’s value as a decisive counter-UAS platform.
Army Successfully Demonstrates LTAMDS 360° Engagement Capability at White Sands Missile Range
11 WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M., August 14, 2025 — The Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor Product Office, Program Executive Office Missiles and Space successfully executed a Missile Flight Test at White Sands Missile Range, marking a significant milestone in advancing the Army’s next-generation air and missile defense capability. During the test, LTAMDS detected, tracked, and classified an Air Breathing Threat surrogate target through the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).
11 The U.S. Army’s Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) demonstrated 360-degree engagement capability during a successful August 14, 2025, missile flight test at White Sands Missile Range, detecting, tracking, and enabling the intercept of an Air Breathing Threat target.
11 The U.S. Army’s Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 program achieved Milestone C approval on July 2, 2025, signaling the program’s transition into the Production and Deployment phase.
Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 Achieves Milestone C Approval
11 Redstone Arsenal, AL – The U.S. Army’s Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 program achieved Milestone C approval on July 2, 2025, signaling the program’s transition into the Production and Deployment phase. PrSM Increment 1, designed to neutralize, suppress, or destroy adversary anti-access and area denial capabilities at ranges greater than 400 kilometers, represents a critical advancement in the Army's long-range precision strike capabilities.
US Army Conducts Successful Precision Strike Missile Flight Test
11 White Sands Missile Range, N.M. - The U.S. Army successfully conducted a production qualification test of the Precision Strike Missile on April 10, 2025. The test demonstrated the PrSMs ability to launch a missile from a US Army M270A2 launcher and engage a target with precision and lethality. The missile’s performance was nominal for all parameters and demonstrated PrSMs lethality, readiness, and contribution to the enhancement of Army long-range precision fires capabilities.
Army awards Precision Strike Missile early operational capability contract
11 REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – U.S. Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal awarded an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract, with a ceiling value of $4.9 billion, to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control on March 28, 2025. The first delivery order on the IDIQ contract procures 400 Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 missiles.
US Army Conducts Successful Precision Strike Missile Long-Range Flight Test
11 VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – On March 19, the U.S. Army continued its string of successes with a Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 flight test at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, commonly known as HIMARS, the PrSM missile successfully demonstrated its extended range flight capability over the Pacific Ocean.
Successful Precision Strike Missile Production Qualification Test
11 White Sands Missile Range, N.M. – On February 12, 2025, the U.S. Army successfully executed two Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 engagements during a flight test here. The missiles, launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, commonly known as HIMARS, were evaluated as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Army’s long-range precision strike capability.
LTAMDS successfully executes Missile Flight Test
Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th (e.g. yourname@email.com) Remember me Forgot Password? 11 White Sands Missile Range, N.M. - On February 7, 2025, PEO Missiles and Space executed a successful missile flight test against a Cruise Missile threat surrogate here. LTAMDS successfully detected, tracked, and classified the Cruise Missile threat surrogate while integrated with IBCS, which determined an engagement solution.
LTAMDS successfully executes Missile Flight Test
Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th (e.g. yourname@email.com) Remember me Forgot Password? 11 The Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor is a radar system used to detect and defeat advanced threats, including ballistic and hypersonic weapons.
Successful Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 Limited User Test
11 White Sands Missile Range, N.M. – On December 11, 2024, Soldiers from the 1-14 Field Artillery Regiment launched two Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 missiles from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher during a limited user test evaluated by the Army’s Operational Test Command. Both missiles traveled the predicted trajectory and designated range successfully engaging four simulated rotary wing targets within a helicopter staging area.
Successful flight tests for Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor Radar
11 White Sands Missile Range, N.M. – On December 6, 2024, 3-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion; Army Test and Evaluation Command and Program Executive Office Missiles and Space successfully executed two operational assessment missile flight tests sequentially.
US Army awards Patriot Advanced Capability-3 contract worth up to $368.6 million
11 On 29 October 2024, the Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract modification with a not-to-exceed value of $752.3 million and current obligations of $368.6 million to support the increased production capacity of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles. This contracting action increases Lockheed Martin’s annual PAC-3 MSE missile maximum production rate from 550 to 650 annually.
US Army awards Indirect Fire Protection Capability Inc 2 contract worth up to $4.1 billion [Image 2 of 2]
11 The IFPC Inc 2 is in high demand as it is designed to protect fixed and semi-fixed sites from unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and rockets, artillery, and mortars. It provides a critical layer of defense for forward operating bases and other critical infrastructure.
US Army awards Indirect Fire Protection Capability Inc 2 contract worth up to $4.1 billion
11 On November 13, 2024, the Army awarded Dynetics, Inc. an Undefinitized Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity letter contract for Indirect Fire Protection Capability Inc 2 Low-Rate Initial Production, Full Rate Production, and Support Services. The contract valued at $4.1 billion will initially procure 18 IFPC Inc 2 launchers. The total not-to-exceed dollar value of the undefinitized contract order is $204 million, of which $99 million was obligated immediately upon IDIQ contract award.
Successful flight test for Precision Strike Missile
11 The PrSM is the next-generation, long-range precision-strike missile delivering critical capabilities to attack, neutralize, suppress, and destroy targets, supporting successful mission execution via combined Joint All-Domain Operations.
US Army Awards GMLRS Rocket Contract Worth up to $4.1 Billion
11 Officials from the United States Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS) and Army Contracting Command (ACC)– Redstone Arsenal executed an Undefinitized contract award for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket production. The contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is worth $4.1 billion and will procure GMLRS, Extended-Range (ER) GMLRS missiles, and associated hardware.
U.S. Army awards expedited production contract for HIMARS launchers
11 ARMY CONTRACTING COMMAND, REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. --The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin an Undefinitized Contract Action with an obligation of $410 million against a not to exceed price of $861 million on May 8 to expedite production of LOT 15, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers. The award is an Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity contract and delivery order anticipated to be definitized within the regulated timeline.
US Army transfers control of Mid-Range Capability to PEO Missiles and Space
11 Redstone Arsenal, Ala. – The US Army has reassigned primary responsibility of the Mid-Range Capability from the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office to Program Executive Office Missiles and Space. The MRC provides a land-based, ground-launched system supporting multi-domain fires against specific threats. “We thank the entire DoD team, as well as our joint service and industry partners, for delivering this hardware so Soldiers can begin training as quickly as possible.
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