M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)

History of the M142 High Mobility Rocket Launcher System (HIMARS)

To control acquisition and ongoing maintenance costs on critical battlefields, the U.S. military has adopted the M142 High Mobility Rocket Launcher System (HIMARS) - a light-wheeled derivative of the successful Cold War Vought "M270" multi-launch Rocket System" (MLRS). The M270 itself was introduced in 1983 as an M993 Tracked Vehicle (Bradley IFV) coupled to a removable M269 Loader Launcher Module (LLM). Together with its three crew members, the system can Fires variable warhead munitions from approximately 40 miles away through its dual six-shot launchers - all twelve missiles can exit the launch module in less than 40 seconds.

By the end of production in 2003, approximately 1,300 had been produced , and ships to many US-facing customers, including the UK, South Korea, and France.

The M142 HIMARS retains the M270's three-person crew, although the M993 tracked transport has now been replaced by a 6x6 wheeled multipurpose heavy truck Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV). The M270's 6-round launcher module has also been added to the bed area, creating a complete missile delivery system that weighs less than half the weight of its tracked counterpart - 24,000 lbs vs.

55,000 lbs. Dimensions include a length of 23 feet, a width of 10.5 feet and a height of 10.5 feet, allowing air transport in the cargo hold of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules. By comparison, the M270 has a barrel length of 22.5 feet, a width of 10 feet and a height of 8.5 feet.

The MTV itself is based on the Austrian Steyr 12M18 military truck and is part of the US Army's "Medium Tactical Vehicle Family" (FMTV). The transporter is a six-wheel multi-tanker performer with a front cab on the front axle. The remaining pair of axles are in the rear and handle most of the cargo weight.

MTV was selected by the U.S. Army to replace its older inventory of M35 and M939 service trucks, and was manufactured by BAe Systems Land and Armaments until 2011 before production moved under the Oshkosh Corporation brand label.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is responsible for the launcher module and its missiles - the M142 can use either 6 x 227mm M270 missiles or a single (albeit guided) MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) battlefield missile.

The M142 lost the tracking characteristics of the M993 (inherent armor protection on the superstructure) and it relied on a light armor protection system covering the entire cab. This reduces weight while reducing track and wheel assembly complexity, while allowing the use of readily sourced off-the-shelf components to service and maintain diesel truck engines.

Street speeds reach 53 mph and range is up to 300 miles. The M270 travels at 64 mph and has a range of up to 400 miles.

The U.S. Army's 18th Field Artillery (Airborne) Brigade was the first U.S. unit to receive approval for the M142. The system, which was tested before approval in 2005, has since entered service in the Iraqi region with a deadly payload that could target unsuspecting insurgents. The series also showed its strengths in Afghan theaters, where long-distance combat has proven to be the norm.

Currently, the U.S. military has seven M142s in three Army Fires Brigades (17th, 18th, and 214th) and the Army National Guard. The 11th and 14th Marine Regiments of the United States Marine Corps also received this type of control.

Other operators outside the US are Singapore (18 units), United Arab Emirates (20 units) and Jordan (12 units). Other countries interested in the M142 system include Canada, Qatar, Thailand and the UK - although procurement has yet to take place (as of February 2014).

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

6 x 227mm M270 missiles or 1 x MGM-140 ATACMS missiles.

Changes