U.S. Army to upgrade M270 MLRS rocket launchers to M270A2 standard.

On April 22, 2019, the U.S. Department of Defense has announced that Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $362,741,549 fixed-price-incentive contract for Multiple Launch Rocket System M270A0 to M270A2 launchers; M270A2 Flyaway Package kit; M270A2 Authorized Stockage List kits, M270A2 Production Line Spares kits, production line restart costs, improve launcher mechanical system test stand upgrade services, proposal costs, and over and above repair services.

U.S. Army M270 MLRS 227mm Multiple Launch Rocket System (Picture source Army Recognition)

The M270 is a 227mm Multiple Launch Rocket Systems developed by the American Company Lockheed Martin and designed to be used against troops and light equipment, air defense systems and command centers. In 1983, the first MLRS units entered service with the US Army.

The MLRS M270 self-propelled launcher vehicle is a stretched version of the American M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. The Launcher Loader Module, mounted on the rear of the vehicle hull consists of a base, turret and cage. To the front on the hull, is mounted fully enclosed cab. This is protected against small arms fire and shell fragments by aluminum armor and louvered windows.

In the 90s, US Army has decided to upgrade the standard M270 to a new and enhanced configuration called the M270A1. The new launcher is upgraded with a new Improved Fire-Control System and Improved Launcher Mechanical System (IFCS/ILMS), which offers a number of significant advantages to the user including quicker into action times, faster reloading and reduced operating and support costs. The M270A1 is also able to fire the Guided MLRS (GMLRS) rocket and MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATacMS) Block IA munitions variants.

The M270A2 Launcher version will be an upgraded version of the M270 with improvements such as the installation of new Launcher Loader Modules (LLM), the installing of the Improved Armored Cab (IAC) and the installing of a Common Fire Control System (CFCS).