Raytheon has successfully completed the third flight test of its DeepStrike Joint Reduced Range Rocket (JR3), an advanced training munition developed to replace the US Army’s ageing reduced-range practice rocket used by artillery crews.
The latest trial took place at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where multiple JR3 rockets were launched in rapid succession to evaluate their range, flight trajectory, accuracy, and marking visibility. The test also assessed the recovery, maintenance, and reusability of the rocket’s launch pod following firing.
The programme brings together several industry partners and government production facilities, including Combined Systems, Corvid Technologies, L3Harris Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and Letterkenny Munitions Center.
Raytheon stated that the development team is preparing for further flight tests before the JR3 proceeds to the qualification phase.
Joint Reduced Range Rocket (JR3)
The JR3 is being developed under a US Army programme aimed at replacing the Low-Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket, a live-fire training munition used by artillery crews operating the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
Unlike operational combat rockets, reduced-range practice munitions enable artillery personnel to conduct realistic live-fire training without deploying full-range ammunition. The US Army currently uses its existing practice rocket for annual qualification exercises and pre-deployment training.
Raytheon’s DeepStrike JR3 features a 24-rocket launch pod based on the established MLRS Family of Munitions configuration. Its recoverable and reusable pod design is intended to reduce training-related expenditure by allowing the launch equipment to be maintained and used again after firing.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin is also developing its own JR3 variant. The company completed its first successful flight test at White Sands Missile Range in September 2025. The trial demonstrated the rocket’s range, trajectory, and marking payload, alongside the launch tube’s capability to be reloaded and reused.
The parallel development efforts highlight the US Army’s push to establish a cost-effective, sustainable live-fire training capability for its HIMARS and MLRS artillery platforms.
