U.S. Marines to Receive New Helicopter-Fired Precision Attack Strike Missile

The U.S. Marine Corps is set to receive the new Precision Attack Strike Munition under a $86.2 million contract awarded by the Department of the Navy to L3Harris Technologies.

The missile will arm the service’s AH-1Z attack helicopter and is intended to extend strike range while enabling precision engagements from rotary-wing aircraft operating in both land and maritime environments. This new weapon supports Marine efforts to operate from greater stand-off distances in contested conditions.

The contract follows several years of Joint Capability Technology Demonstration testing tied to the Long-Range Attack Munition, which validated the ability of low-altitude helicopters to conduct offensive anti-surface warfare and maritime strike missions.

The award was issued by the Navy and Marine Corps’ Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons program office, PMA-242, using an Other Transaction Authority contract designed to speed prototyping and fielding.

Under the contract, L3Harris Technologies will deliver all missile units, training, manuals, support equipment, and test equipment for the AH-1Z fleet by the end of fiscal year 2027.