Lockheed Martin Conducts Second Successful Test of New JR3 Rocket – A Low-Cost Path to Greater Army Readiness
DALLAS, August 28, 2026. Lockheed Martin has successfully tested its new Joint Reduced Range Rocket (JR3) solution for the second time, an affordable training round with a reusable launch pod designed to replace the current Reduced Range Practice Rocket for the US Army and global partners.
During a flight test conducted at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, Lockheed Martin successfully launched multiple training rounds demonstrating range, trajectory, accuracy and marking payload effects.
What’s New
- Second flight test: JR3 rounds launched from a HIMARS at Yuma Proving Ground, validating range, accuracy and marking payload.
- Designed for HIMARS | M270: The new all-up round and 24-rocket launch pod supports launcher crews training in different environmental conditions, enabling high-volume live fires.
- Reusable and affordable: Built on mature rocket motor technology, our modular solution has a low-cost motor and adaptable payload for cost-effective, repeatable training cycles.
Why it Matters
- Higher-training volume: Launcher crews can conduct realistic live-fire drills on constrained ranges, day or night, across multiple locations.
- Cost savings: Our solution offers lower expense-per-round, with reloadable launch tubes and the ability to reuse the launch pods.
Expert Perspective
“Our new training round offers a scalable, very affordable solution built on mature rocket motor technology,” said Dave Griser, Vice President, Lockheed Martin Precision Fires Rockets. “With a 24-round rocket launch pod, our JR3 system meets the Army’s demand for higher training volume and lower cost without sacrificing performance.”
What’s Next
- Next flight test: Another JR3 flight test is planned later this year to further validate performance.
- Scalable to future programs: Our JR3 architecture and technology can be transferable to future evolutionary efforts like the Army’s Direct Support Fires Technology initiative for mass produced low-cost, direct-fire rockets.
