Lockheed Martin Awarded $861 Million Contract to Expand Production of HIMARS Rocket Launchers Amid Rising Global Demand.

American Company Lockheed Martin has secured an $861.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for the production of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated support services. This contract reflects the growing global demand for light multiple rocket launchers, especially in the context of current military engagements and the system's proven effectiveness.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The M142 HIMARS is an MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System able to fire guided and unguided rockets as well as ATACMS missiles. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

Developed in the late 1990s, the HIMARS is mounted on a standard U.S. Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) M1140 truck frame, offering significant mobility and versatility in combat scenarios. Currently, the HIMARS serves not only in the United States but also in several countries worldwide including Jordan, Poland, Romania, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, with additional interest from nations such as Australia, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, and Taiwan.

HIMARS can fire both guided and unguided rockets, including the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets and the larger Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, providing versatility in targeting everything from enemy troops and vehicles to long-range strategic targets. Its capability for precision strikes and quick repositioning makes it effective in a variety of combat scenarios.

The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) has the capability to launch both guided and unguided rockets, which provides it with flexibility to engage a range of target types on the battlefield. The primary type of guided rocket it uses is the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket, which is known for its accuracy and has a reach of up to 70 kilometers. This makes the GMLRS suitable for striking high-value targets like enemy artillery, air defenses, and armored vehicles with precision.

In addition to guided rockets, HIMARS can also fire unguided rockets such as the M26, which are useful for covering a larger area to suppress or destroy enemy troop formations and soft-skinned vehicles, offering a broader impact in combat scenarios. This combination of guided and unguided rockets allows HIMARS to support a wide range of military operations, from precise strikes to broader area saturation attacks.

The HIMARS can also launch the ATACMS missile, a larger and longer-range missile capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometers away. This capability allows for deep strikes into enemy territory, targeting high-value assets such as command centers and clustered enemy formations.

This increased interest is likely spurred by the HIMARS' role in ongoing conflicts, such as its use by Ukrainian forces in the current conflict with Russia, where its strategic value in mobile warfare has been prominently demonstrated. The contract, managed by the Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, stipulates that work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with completion projected by May 31, 2026.

The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) has proven to be a significant asset in Ukraine's military operations against Russian forces. According to multiple reports, HIMARS has been effective in disrupting Russian logistics and command centers, substantially impacting the dynamics of the conflict.

HIMARS units, supplied by the U.S., have allowed Ukrainian forces to execute precise strikes on Russian ammunition depots, command posts, and other strategic targets. The precision of these strikes has been noted for both their tactical effectiveness and psychological impact on Russian forces, disrupting supply lines and command structures. The system's mobility and accuracy enable Ukrainian forces to perform hit-and-run tactics, minimizing the launcher's exposure to counterattacks​ (Defense.gov)​​ (Al Jazeera)​​ (Business Insider Nederland)​.

This expansion in production underscores the strategic importance of HIMARS in modern military operations and Lockheed Martin's pivotal role in meeting both U.S. and allied nations' defense needs.