Lockheed Martin precision munitions complete reliability firing tests using HIMARS rockets launcher 11011152

Posted On
Defence & Security Industry News - Lockeed Martin
 
Lockheed Martin precision munitions complete reliability firing tests using HIMARS rockets launcher
Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary munitions recently underwent successful stockpile reliability tests. All rockets were launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
     
Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary munitions recently underwent successful stockpile reliability tests. All rockets were launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Fort Sill's Bravo Battery 1-14 Field Artillery's fire a rocket from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, April 27.
     
The tests included eight GMLRS rockets that were conditioned at hot and ambient temperatures. The ATACMS Unitary missile, which is the current production configuration, was conditioned hot for the test. The HIMARS launcher can fire ATACMS and GMLRS munitions ranging between 15km and 300km.

The flight tests, which were part of the U.S. Army’s tactical munitions reliability program, were conducted using simulated targets. Soldiers were inside the HIMARS’ Improved Armored Cab, where they initiated the launches.

“Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS, ATACMS and GMLRS precision fire solutions provide critical, quick-strike capabilities to U.S. and allied forces worldwide,” said Ken Musculus, vice president of tactical missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

In service since 2005, HIMARS brings MLRS firepower to a wheeled chassis. It carries a single six-pack of rockets or one ATACMS missile, and can launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. It is C-130-transportable and can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to heavier launchers.

The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is multiple rocket launcher system mounted to a 6x6 FMTV truck chassis. HIMARS was developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control under an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) programme, placed in 1996.

HIMARS carries a six-pack of GMLRS rockets or one TACMS missile, and can be confi gured to launch other variant munitions. The system can be modified for Air Defense, and has demonstrated medium-range missile defense capability.

The HIMARS has a maximum firing range of 32 km with standard M26 rockets and more than 45 km with the extended-range MLRS rocket (ER-MLRS).