US Precision Strike Missile's First Combat Use Raises Civilian Risk Concerns
A new US missile's first combat use in Iran may have killed civilians far from its blast site, raising concerns about its use near populated areas.
The first known combat use of Lockheed Martin's Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in Iran has raised concerns about its safety near civilian areas, according to a review by conflict monitor Airwars and interviews with weapons experts.
On February 28, three missiles struck the southern Iranian city of Lamerd, killing at least 21 civilians, including seven children, according to Iranian officials. Airwars found that the missiles detonated above a sports complex and two residential neighborhoods, with civilian deaths occurring as far as 50 meters from the blast sites and damage extending more than three times that distance.
The PrSM is designed to explode midair and release tens of thousands of dense tungsten pellets in all directions. Photos, videos, and satellite images analyzed by Airwars and verified by Varta Wire show buildings, streets, and vehicles heavily pockmarked in a pattern consistent with the weapon's capabilities.
The U.S. military has confirmed firing PrSMs into Iran but denied attacking Lamerd. Six weapons experts, including two former military officials, believe PrSMs struck the city, noting that Israeli or Iranian weapons were unlikely. They all advised against using the PrSM near civilian areas.
Airwars mapped the blast radius using geolocation and open-source material, while Varta Wire independently verified the findings. The U.S. Central Command reiterated its denial, saying its earlier review found no U.S. strike in Lamerd. The Israeli military also denied involvement.
The PrSM, which replaces the older ATACMS system, has a range of over 499 kilometers and fires tungsten pellets that retain their shape upon detonation, making them highly lethal. Experts say the weapon should be reserved for large concentrations of enemy forces, not populated areas.
Since the Lamerd strikes, the Pentagon signed a $4 billion contract with Lockheed Martin to increase PrSM production, and the U.K. and Australia have also invested in the program.