These are all of the US military’s surface-launched precision munitions

Precision-guided munitions can strike targets with pinpoint accuracy, maximizing effectiveness and reducing collateral damage at the same time. The U.S. military employs a diverse and deep precision-guided munition arsenal. Most often, these munitions are deployed by air against air or ground targets. But there are several munitions designed to be fired from the ground.

In the previous part of the series, we presented the air-to-air and air-to-ground precision-guided munitions in the U.S. military’s arsenal. Now, we’ll cover the surface-to-air and surface-to-surface advanced munitions available to U.S. commanders and policymakers.

Surface-to-Air precision munitions

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jose Lozano, left, and Fire Controlman 2nd Class Cameron Smith, both assigned to Combat Systems Department aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), loads an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Launcher, July 11, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Barnett)

The RIM-162 ESSM is a sea-launched anti-air missile designed to protect warships from incoming fighter jets, missiles, and suicide drones. The munition is based on the venerable AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile. It has a range of approximately 40 miles and travels at extremely high speeds of over 3,000 miles per hour.

Standard Missile-6 (SM-6)

NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia – 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) conducts the first Mid-Range Capability live fire exercise outside of the continental United States successfully sinking a maritime target with a Standard Missile-6 Force during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 on July 16, 2025. The successful strike validated combined joint targeting and command-and-control interoperability between 3MDTF and the combined-joint force. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Perla Alfaro)

The SM-6, or RIM-174 Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM), is an anti-aircraft munition that can be fired from surface combatants or platforms. It has a range of up to 300 miles and can travel at speeds of 2,600 miles per hour. Its capabilities make it ideal for intercepting aircraft, missiles, and unmanned aerial systems. The Navy is also working on the AIM-174B, an air-to-air variant of the munition, for its fighter jets.

Stinger

U.S. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense, forward deployed in direct support of 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Alert Contingency Marine Air-ground Task Force Mission, sights into the Stinger Launch Simulator during a live fire range on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 26, 2025. The Marines with 2nd LAAD conducted this training to increase proficiency and lethality deploying the Singer missile weapons system. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Briseida Villasenor)

The legendary FIM-92 Stinger is a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile. The missile has a range of approximately five miles and can travel at speeds of approximately 1,700 miles per hour. The fire-and-forget missile debuted in the early 1980s and made a difference in the hands of the Mujahideen against the Soviets in Afghanistan. More recently, the Ukrainian military has used the FIM-92 Stinger to prevent the Russians from establishing air superiority over the battlefield in Ukraine.

Related: Ukraine reveals new long-range cruise missile that can strike Moscow

Surface-to-Surface precision munitions

Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)

An ATACMS being fired. (Lockheed Martin)

The MGM-140 ATACMS is a ground-launched tactical ballistic missile. Designed and developed in the 1980s, the precision-guided munition is not only still operational, but is also seeing active service in the hands of the Ukrainian forces against the Russian invaders. With a maximum range of approximately 290 miles, the MGM-140 ATACMS is a powerful weapon. It can be fired from the M142 High Mobility Rocket Artillery System (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)

1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade fires a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) from a multiple launch rocket system during the Thunder Cloud live-fire exercise in Andoya, Norway on Sept. 15, 2021. The GMLRS is a surface-to-surface system used to attack, neutralize, suppress and destroy targets using indirect precision fires up to 70-plus kilometers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua Thorne)

Similar to the ATACMS, the GMLRS is a guided artillery rocket designed for the M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS. Depending on the variant, the GMRLS has a range of between 43 and 93 miles. The GMLRS can take two main types of warheads: a unitary 200lbs warhead and a fragmentation warhead with submunitions designed for area targeting. Like the ATACMS, the GMLRS has been seeing active service in Ukraine with great results.

Naval Strike Missile (NSM)

Render of a RGM-184 NSM being launched. (Wikimedia Commons)

The RGM-184 NSM is a low-observable anti-ship cruise missile. Developed in Norway nearly 20 years ago, the munition has a maximum range of nearly 200 miles and packs a 260lbs warhead. It can be fired from surface combatants and land vehicles. The Air Force is buying an air-launched version of the missile for its F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet fleet.

Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)

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. (Photo by Darrell Ames/U.S. Army)

The PrSM is a ground-launched missile designed to replace the MGM-140 ATACMs. This is quite a new munition, having entered service only in 2023. It has an unclassified range of approximately 250 miles and carries a 200lbs warhead. Similar to the ATACMS and GMLRS, the PrSM is designed to be fired from the M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS. This is a joint Australia-U.S. program.

Tomahawk

A Tomahawk cruise missile launches from the forward vertical launch system of the USS Shiloh (CG 67) to attack selected air defense targets south of the 33rd parallel in Iraq on Sept. 3, 1996, as part of Operation Desert Strike. (Department of Defense)

The BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a cruise missile that can be fired by both submarines and surface combatants. Depending on the variant, the missile can hit targets as far as 1,200 miles away. Once fired, the munition cruises at a maximum of 550 miles per hour, while flying at 100 to 150 feet to avoid detection. There are several warhead options for the Tomahawk, including a unitary, 1,000lbs warhead and a fragmentation one.

The most recent application of the Tomahawk in active service was against Iran’s nuclear program in June as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. A Navy guided-missile submarine fired dozens of missiles against a protected nuclear weapons facility, completely destroying it.

The U.S. Navy also uses Harpoon missiles but they are being phased out.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include the first paragraph.

Feature Image: U.S. Soldiers assigned to Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, fire a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a live fire exercise at Camp Tapa, Estonia, April 16, 2025. HIMARS provides a reliable and versatile long-range precision fire capability for combat operations. 3-321 FAR, a rotational force supporting V Corps, conducted the HIMARS training in the European Theatre to maintain readiness, develop warfighting capabilities, and increase lethality. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jaidyn Moore)

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