Breaking News: U.S. Seeks to Mass-Produce GMLRS Guided Rockets to Boost Long-Range Firepower.

The United States Government (USG) has issued a new request seeking white papers from industry partners regarding their capabilities, relevant experience, and technical approaches to mass-producing all variants of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). According to the announcement published on 24 April 2025, the U.S. Army plans to ramp up production to an impressive 19,002 rockets annually, with initial deliveries targeted for February 2030.
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The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is a precision-guided artillery rocket designed for long-range strikes, capable of hitting targets up to 150 km away with high accuracy and devastating effect. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal has issued this Sources Sought Notice to conduct comprehensive market research. The goal is to identify manufacturers who have the capacity, expertise, and resources to meet the large-scale production requirements for the Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles (STORM) Project Office. The scope of the future contract extends beyond simple production. It includes rocket manufacturing for all GMLRS variants, tooling and production line setup, implementation of engineering change proposals (ECPs), and full spectrum support activities to ensure sustainment and operational readiness. This expansive scope demonstrates the Army's intent not just to replenish but to significantly strengthen its rocket artillery arsenal in line with emerging strategic demands.

The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is a family of highly precise, surface-to-surface artillery rockets designed for use by Field Artillery units equipped with M270-series Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) tracked launchers and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) wheeled launchers. The GMLRS is guided by an advanced inertial navigation system (INS) coupled with a GPS receiver, ensuring high accuracy with a typical circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 metres. The standard GMLRS rocket measures approximately 3.94 metres in length and 0.227 metres in diameter, with a total launch weight of around 300 kilograms. Each rocket can strike targets at ranges between 15 and 84 kilometres, while the Extended Range (ER) variant expands this reach to over 150 kilometres.

The GMLRS Unitary variant is equipped with a 90-kilogram class high-explosive, point-detonating warhead optimized for precision strike against high-value point targets, significantly reducing the risk of collateral damage in complex environments. The Alternative Warhead (AW) variant substitutes traditional submunitions with 160,000 pre-formed tungsten penetrators, delivering wide-area effects compliant with international cluster munitions regulations. Meanwhile, the GMLRS Extended Range (ER) version benefits from improved rocket motor technologies and redesigned airframes, enabling the U.S. Army to engage strategic targets from even greater stand-off distances while maintaining precision and lethality.

The United States' push to dramatically increase several critical factors drive GMLRS production. First, ongoing and potential future conflicts, including support to European and Indo-Pacific allies, have underscored the need for rapid, responsive, and long-range artillery capabilities. The effectiveness of rocket artillery systems, particularly HIMARS equipped with GMLRS rockets, has been demonstrated in recent conflicts, notably in Ukraine, where precise, deep-strike capabilities have disrupted enemy logistics and command nodes. Second, the U.S. Army is focused on maintaining overmatch against peer adversaries such as China and Russia, both of whom have invested heavily in their own long-range fires capabilities.

Moreover, existing GMLRS stockpiles have been significantly drawn down due to extensive aid packages provided to partner nations, creating an urgent requirement to replenish and expand inventories. The decision to achieve a production rate of 19,002 rockets per year ensures the U.S. Army can maintain high operational readiness levels, support its global commitments, and build strategic stockpiles for prolonged high-intensity conflicts. With initial deliveries scheduled for February 2030, this procurement initiative reflects a forward-looking effort to adapt to evolving threats and ensure artillery forces remain at the forefront of future multi-domain operations.