U.S. MLRS fleet to be extended and upgraded to M270A2 standards.

According information published one the U.S. Federal Business Opportunities website, December 26th, 2018, the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Redstone is to anticipate the awarding of a contract for Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) fleet expansion/upgrade to M270A2 standards.

M270A1 (Picture source : Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

This contract will extend the operational life of the MLRS Launcher to 2025 by addressing obsolescence issues, upgrading and installing the Launcher Loader Module (LLM), and installing the Improved Armored Cab (IAC) and a Common Fire Control System (CFCS).

The M270 MLRS Launchers are mobile armoured vehicles able to carry 3 crew members and to protect them against small arms, sheel splinters, mine blast and IEDs. These vehicles are armed with a total of 12 227mm rockets able to deliver their 640 M77 bombs up to 30km or with 2 missiles. The launchers can also be armed with many different other kinds of artillery rockets and missiles.

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). The M270A2 Launcher quantities are not to exceed 385 units, according to the contract.

Among the companies expected to respond to this contract, we can find Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control, 1701 W Marshall Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75051 or even CAGE Code 64059.