According to information released by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov on his Twitter account, on July 15, 2022, the first M270 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems donated by European countries arrived in Ukraine. Together with the American HIMARS, the M270 will strengthen the artillery capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The M270 and the M142 HIMARS are able to fire the same types of rockets and missiles.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Ukrainians have been learning how to use the British Army's Multiple Rocket Launcher System MLRS. (Picture source Screen Shot BBC video footage)
On June 30, 2022, British Television BBC announced that Ukrainian soldiers were trained in England by British soldiers on how to use the British Army M270 Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MLRS).
According to our sources, three European countries have confirmed the delivery of the M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) to Ukraine including Germany, England, and Norway. The Ukrainian Armed Forces should receive about ten M270 rocket launcher systems from these three countries.
The M270 is an American-made Multiple Launch Rocket System based on a tracked armored chassis. This rocket launcher is manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin. In 1983, the first MLRS units entered service with the US Army.
The M270 MLRS is based on a stretched version of the American-made M2 Bradley tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The Launcher Loader Module, mounted on the rear of the vehicle hull consists of a base, turret, and cage. It contains the computerized fire-control system, a stabilization reference package/position determining system, a launcher drive system, and a twin-boom crane unit for self-loading and unloading.
The M270 MLRS is operated by a three-man crew consisting of a driver, gunner and commander, all of whom are seated in the fully enclosed cab at the front of the vehicle. This is protected against small arms fire and shell fragments by aluminum armor and louvered windows. Equipment capabilities permit a reduced crew, or even one person, to accomplish a complete fire mission including the loading and unloading operations. The US Army has fitted some of its M270 launchers with a roof-mounted 40 mm MK 19 series automatic grenade launcher.
The M270 can fire all standard 227mm unguided rockets with a maximum firing range of 32 km range featuring dual-purpose sub-munitions. It can also fire extended-range rockets with a maximum firing range of 45 km. Guided rockets are available with sub-munitions or unitary warheads and with ranges of 60 or 90 km. The latest variant can also fire ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles which have a 300 km range.
