Army needs new practice rocket

The Army is seeking a new reduced-range practice rocket to train crews that employ the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the M270A1 and A2 MLRS, according to a recent solicitation.

The service uses the current Multiple Launch Rocket System Reduced-Range Practice Rocket, which has been in service since the early 1990s, during annual live-fire rocket exercises.

The precision fires rocket and missile systems project office said today it is looking for a new system "due to future obsolescence issues with the current practice rocket."

"The overall intent of this effort is . . . to determine the best sustainable approach in the development and production of a potential RRPR replacement," the project office said.

Lockheed Martin produced the current RRPR, which has a maximum range of 15 km.

The Army issued a request for information Aug. 7 asking for schedule and cost estimates, noting its desire for a rocket with a maximum range of 19 km and at least a 10-year shelf life that would require no scheduled maintenance.

The service could begin developing the new rocket "in the early-to-mid 2020s," according to the program office.