Lockheed Martin successfully completed flight reliability tests on its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets and an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile by launching the weapons from its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the company announced in a press statement.
According to Lockheed Martin, its line of MLRS munitions includes three rockets and four missiles, while six more variants are in development. Its ATACMS is a long-range guided missile fired from the MLRS line of launchers. The HIMARS launcher, which has been used in the field since 2005, is capable of shooting ATACMS and GMLRS munitions between a range of 15 and 30 kilometers. The launcher can either carry six rockets or one ATACMS missile at a time, and is able to fire any of the MLRS line of munitions.
The tests, which were conducted at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. using simulated targets, were part of the U.S. Army’s tactical munitions reliability program. Army soldiers launched the flight tests from insides the armored HIMARS cab. In total, eight GMLRS rockets were tested at hot and ambient temperatures. A single ATACMS missile was conditioned hot for the test while in its current production configuration.
The HIMARS, ATACMS, and GMLRS is currently used by both the U.S. military and allied forces, according to Ken Musculus, V.P. of tactical missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control said the HIMARS, ATACMS, and GMLRS.
More information on the HIMARS can be found at http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/himars.html
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
