US Army HIMARS Summit 2023 to discuss best use and maintenance of this MLRS.

European High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Summit was a Vth U.S. Army Corps event hosted in Grafenwohr (Germany) on August 1-3. This initiative aimed to discuss with NATO countries the utilization, operation, and maintenance of the M142 HIMARS rocket launcher mounted on a 6x6 medium tactical vehicle. Spc. William Kuang, U.S. Army, reports.
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Service members and subject matter experts watch a demonstration of the M142 HIMARS in transport by replica C-130 during HIMARS Summit at Grafenwöhr, Germany on August 2, 2023 (Picture source: U.S. Army Reserve/Spc. William Kuang)

The HIMARS Summit is a collaboration between the U.S. and NATO countries to improve each nation’s operability and sustainment of HIMARS. V Corps' commitment is to develop and educate on the capabilities of HIMARS, increasing the operability and lethality of NATO countries. Each participating NATO country is educated on the specifications of HIMARS, including operation, transportation, and maintenance. U.S. Army soldiers demonstrated how HIMARS is transported using a replica C-130 as a reference and any maintenance needed while in action.

U.S. Army Col. Wilbur Hsu, commander of 41st Field Artillery Brigade, said: “It is a wheel-based platform that has six rockets on the back, and it's extremely mobile, and it's able to engage targets up to 300km”.

The HIMARS Summit is not specifically focused on firepower or lethality but on how to sustain such weapons, the interoperability between partner nations, knowledge of the weapon's capabilities, and using it to its full potential. “When we look at new weapons technology, the most important things are understanding their role in the greater system,” said Hsu, “HIMARS is not just about the rocket system or the rocket launcher itself in that vehicle, it's about all the sustainment, communications, intelligence and sensors that are needed to make it capable.”

HIMARS Summit is committed to educating partner nations on the capabilities of HIMARS and providing training to respond more effectively and efficiently in sustaining, operating, and employing the HIMARS to deter potential adversaries. “Educate and talk to our partners and allies about the options, the sensors, and the other capabilities that ensure they can train, operate, employ, and sustain the HIMAR system,” said Col. Wilbur Hsu.

“This event will upskill partnered nations on “the sustainment and how we operate in the army on a total level,” said Warrant Officer Michael Wilson with the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment. “The way we operate forward, the way we sustain, the experiences we gain from operating HIMARS and all the equipment that comes with it. “What I’ve taken away from this summit is how energetic all these countries are and all the leadership here and how they are so knowledgeable,” said Wilson. “It's really nice to see that they take sustainment and maintenance so seriously and are a captive audience. It’s really great to be in partnership with these NATO countries.”

Partnered nations are committed to sustainment and maintenance. They’ve brought immense energy to the HIMARS Summit. With our collective knowledge, U.S. and NATO countries in partnership can create increased stability and security in response to potential adversaries.

Defense News August 2023