Latest news with #GMARS
Business Insider
05-08-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
A new rocket system packing twice the punch of HIMARS just fired for the first time
A new rocket system designed by the US and its allies and boasting a ton of firepower was just test-fired for the first time. The Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS) can launch twice as many munitions as the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. On Monday, Lockheed Martin announced the successful first live fire of the GMARS at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The system fired Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets, which are precision-guided munitions used by the US Army, as well as allies and partners. GMARS is designed to be a versatile long-range precision fire launcher that can work with existing US and allied platforms, including HIMARS, Lockheed Martin said in a statement. It can carry two Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), four Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs), and 12 regular GMLRS or the extended range versions, all developed by Lockheed Martin. That loadout gives the GMARS a range of potential firing options and doubles what the celebrated HIMARS can carry. ATACMS boast a maximum range of 190 miles, while PrSM, the weapon's planned replacement, can strike targets out to 310 miles. GMLRS, as a kind of rocket artillery rather than a tactical missile, has a more limited range at 43 miles. The extended range variant goes out to 93 miles. These precision-guided munitions operate with guidance systems like GPS, sensors, and laser guidance, which allow them to zero in on specific targets. Long-range precision fires like these are a top priority for the Army amid its sweeping transformation initiative announced earlier this year, in which US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Army needed to field long-range missiles that can strike land and maritime targets by 2027. The PrSM plays an important role in these initiatives. In June, for instance, the Army tested the new missile, which can be used flexibly against land and sea targets, against a moving maritime target. The Army has also explored flexible HIMARS employment for fast strikes at greater ranges. Other critical long-range fires efforts center on the new Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon. Ongoing conflicts, like Russia's war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, have demonstrated to the Army a need for these systems. In its statement on the recent test-firing, Lockheed Martin said the GMARS is based on German defense company Rheinmetall's HX series of tactical military trucks and supports improved interoperability — the ability to work together — between US and allied launchers and munitions, particularly in Europe. Better interoperability between systems has become a forefront want from the Army and its international allies and partners. Last month, Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa, said the Army wanted more commonality between its systems and those of its allies, particularly for long-range fires and air defenses. "Right now, there are many nations that if they buy a platform and another nation buys that platform, they're not interoperable because of that lack of common operating system," Donahue said at the LANDEURO Conference in Germany. "We want it to be one system optionally manned," he added, "and we want to be able to take munitions from any country and shoot through that." Similarly, modularity, meaning they can be reconfigured with different hardware and software depending on mission objectives, combat environments, enemy countermeasures, and individual soldier or personnel demands, is a top priority.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Wheeled Launcher With Double The Weapons Of HIMARS Completes First Successful Test Firing
Two major defense contractors announced the first successful live fire test of a new wheeled launcher vehicle capable of lobbing twice as many munitions as the U.S.-made Army High Mobility Rocket System (HIMARS). The Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS), made by Lockheed Martin and Germany's Rheinmetall, will be produced in Europe. It fires the same weapons as U.S.-made wheeled HIMARS and the heavier tracked M270 MLRS. Ukraine has used both of these systems to devastating effect on Russian troop and equipment concentrations, hardened defensive locations, bridges, radars and other targets. This milestone comes amid a skyrocketing demand for mobile systems that can launch guided artillery rockets and short-range ballistic missiles, plus the ability to add new types of weapons in the future. The first GMARS live fire took place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the companies announced on Monday. Like the tracked M270, the GMARS launcher can haul two pods that carry different types of weapons. As a result, GMARS can be armed with two Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) or four Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) or 12 standard or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) rockets. By comparison, the HIMARS launcher has one pod. In addition, GMARS will have the potential to fire ground-launched cruise missiles and 122mm rockets in the future, according to Rheinmetall. The White Sands test involved GMLRS. Lockheed Martin told us they fired two GMLRS rockets with unitary warheads in the test at a 'mid-range' distance without offering further specifics. As we noted earlier, HIMARS like GMARS is a wheeled vehicle, though in an 8×8 configuration instead of the 6×6 configuration found on HIMARS. It is based on Rheinmetall's HX vehicle series with a top speed of up to about 62mph. One thing GMARS can't do that HIMARS can is be rapidly deployed to forward locales via C-130. Wheeled vehicles are easier to maintain than tracked ones, and are better for operating over roads and can go faster. Those operating GMARS could have immediate access to existing stocks of munitions fired by HIMARS and M270, providing a logistically important interoperability of those weapons. GMARS is one of several designs being floated for future mobile fire systems that can fire ATACMS, PrSMS and GMLRS. As we wrote last year, Lockheed Martin unveiled a launcher designed to quadruple the number of munitions fired by HIMARS. Lockheed Martin displayed the launcher on a U.S. Marine Corps 10×10 MKR18 Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) truck at the Human-Machine Integration Summit IV in November 2024. France has also entered this market, as has South Korea, among others. South Korea provided Poland with the CTM-290, an ATACMS-like missile launched from the Homar-K multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). You can see that system in the following video. Breaking News!Awesome news my Polish brothers!CTM-290 ballistic missile footage for the Poland is just revealed for the first time. The missile was launched from Homar-K in front of Polish government officials. CTM-290 missile's range and warhead performance is same as… — Mason ヨンハク (@mason_8718) April 24, 2024 The success of HIMARS and M270 in Ukraine has not been lost on other militaries. Many other nations field them, and Russia recently complained about the first HIMARS live firing in Estonia last month. The ability to move about the battlefield and put targets at risk anywhere with pinpoint accuracy within a 50-mile ring (for GMLRS, much longer for ballistic missiles), fire, and then scoot away before the enemy can fire back, is a massive force multiplier. These systems will be capable of firing the Extended Range GMLRS too, which will increase the range to 93-miles. Other weapons, from drones to cruise missiles, could also be integrated into the launcher pods. HIMARS remains very popular and is deep in production. However, the fact that GMARS is co-produced by a European company and aimed at the NATO market could give it extra appeal for alliance member nations. It could also speed deliveries over HIMARS, with its thick order book. It is unclear if or when GMARS will be fielded or by which nations. However, given the growing threat from Russia in Europe, as well as other threats abroad, there will likely be significant demand for a still relatively agile wheeled vehicle that doubles the firepower of HIMARS. Contact the author: howard@ Solve the daily Crossword
