What is special about the HIMARS rocket system?

The HIMARS launch system can launch a variety of rocket launchers.

M142 HIMARS is a rocket artillery system mounted on a standard 5-ton M1140 truck chassis. This is a wheeled version of the tracked M270 MLRS, developed in the 90s and now manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The entire HIMARS system, including the launch system and the truck, can be transported by a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The HIMARS launch system can launch a variety of rocket launchers, guided and unguided missiles, and even SLAMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles - a variant of the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile. In 2017, the US Marine Corps tested using the M142 HIMARS at sea to attack a land target. HIMARS was placed aboard the transport USS Anchorage and hit the target with a precision-guided missile. This test opens up new deployment possibilities for HIMARS.

Lockheed Martin says HIMARS is a "fire and fly" rocket artillery system in reference to its high mobility. Compared with the M270, the launch system of the M142 HIMARS is only half the size and it is mounted on the M1140 6x6 highly mobile wheel truck platform - a variant of the FMTV military truck. It is powered by Caterpillar's 7.2-liter six-cylinder C7 diesel engine mated to a seven-speed transmission, which can reach a top speed of 94 km/h and a range of 483 km. In addition, the HIMARS system can reload ammunition in just a few minutes.

The rockets and launchers are designed in a detachable module with launchers, will not have to reload each missile and rocket like other multiple launch rocket systems. The reloading mechanism as well as the launcher mounted on a wheeled platform like the XM1140 give HIMARS great flexibility, in terms of speed of movement, range, ability to refit, deploy, fire and dismount. runs much faster than the M270 MLRS.

List of missiles that HIMARS can launch.

The power of HIMARS depends on the type of missile or rocket used. The list of missiles that HIMARS can launch is very long, divided into 3 categories including MLRS - multiple launch rockets with unguided M28 rockets; GMLRS - rocket artillery with extended range and GPS guidance including M30/M30A1/A2, M31/M31A1/A2 range of 15 - 84 km, ER GMLRS with range up to 150 km; ATACMS - tactical surface-to-surface 610 mm missile with a range of up to 300 km including variants M39/M39A1, M48, M57/M57E1 and the latest PrSM - a GPS-guided precision attack missile with a range up to 500 km. Depending on the type of missile used, HIMARS' launcher will be 6 tubes for M30/M31 missiles, 2 tubes for PrSM missiles or 1 tube for ATACMS.

The HIMARS system can reload ammunition in just a few minutes.