A modern American universal missile system on a wheeled chassis. It is designed to defeat artillery, air defense systems, armored vehicles, vehicles, manpower and communications of the enemy, as well as to provide support to allied ground units. It is used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, as well as the armed forces of six other countries. It was used during the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and as part of a special military operation in Ukraine. It has been mass-produced since 2003.
The history of the M142 HIMARS
The first projects to create a more mobile version of the MLRS M270 began to appear back in the 80s of the XX century. The US Department of Defense formed requirements for the new MLRS: high mobility while maintaining firepower and the possibility of transportation by aircraft. In April 1991, the first prototype presented by Loral Vought Systems was tested at the White Sands missile range, but this system did not have all the necessary qualities.
Therefore, in 1996, a $23.2 million agreement was signed with Lockheed Martin, which was supposed to complete the design work and create four prototypes. Two years later, these vehicles were transferred to the army for testing, in which ATACMS ballistic missiles were tested for the first time. In 1999, another contract was signed with the manufacturer for $ 65 million. As a result, the US armed forces were supplied with six full-fledged HIMARS for evaluation.
Interesting facts: the abbreviation HIMARS stands for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Highly Mobile artillery missile System). The cost of one installation for American law enforcement agencies in 2014 was about $ 3.5 million. After 10 years, this figure rose to $4.9 million. Export options in 2022 were estimated at $19-20 million. In total, more than 600 cars were produced.
In April 2023, after completing all tests, the M142 HIMARS complex was adopted by the US Army and Marine Corps. 96 million dollars were allocated for the organization of mass production. Responsibility for this activity is assigned to one of the four main divisions of Lockheed Martin – Missiles and Fire Control (MFC). At the same time, new ammunition for this system is being developed in parallel.
Until 2022, the production rate was 48 installations per year. But after the start of the special military operation, the demand for MLRS increased significantly. Therefore, the company accelerated production to 60 cars per year. Work is underway to expand production capacities to reach the figure of up to five machines per month (96 per year). In addition, Lockheed Martin participates in joint efforts to organize the release of HIMARS (or their components) abroad. Australian and British companies are involved in the project.
Features and benefits of the M142 HIMARS
HIMARS is structurally similar to the M270. But in order to ensure high mobility of the installation and simplify its transfer by military transport aircraft, it was decided to design a car on a wheeled platform. It was also necessary to halve the ammunition supply – from 12 to six missiles. The MLRS is based on a three-axle all-wheel drive FMTV Stewart chassis & Stevenson with a lifting capacity of 5 tons. The Alisson seven-speed automatic transmission is used. There are vehicles with both lightweight and armored cabins.
The length of the case is 7 m, width – 2.4 m, height – 3.2 m. The ground clearance index is 564 mm. The Caterpillar 3116 ATAAC diesel engine with a capacity of 290 hp at 2600 rpm is used as the power plant. It allows you to reach speeds of up to 85 km/h on the highway and provide a power reserve of up to 480 km. The combat crew consists of a driver, an operator and a commander. In emergency cases, all functions can be performed by one crew member. The combat weight of the complex is about 16 tons.
Interesting facts: HIMARS uses electronics, fire control and communication systems unified with the M270A1 MLRS. A transport-charging machine is not needed to recharge, the process takes no more than five minutes. The installation can be used as a multiple launch rocket system or as an operational tactical missile system (OTRK). Deployment on the battlefield or a change of position is carried out in 5-7 minutes.
Due to the presence of a pivoting mechanism, it is possible to fire in any direction with elevation angles from -2° to +60°. Target guidance and firing systems are controlled from the cockpit. The launcher is made in a U-shaped format and is equipped with fasteners for replaceable guide packages. Recharging is performed automatically using a standard electric battery.
The replacement package consists of six tubular fiberglass containers with guides that give the rockets counterclockwise rotation at a frequency of 10-12 rpm. It is possible to work in a single firing mode and launch all missiles simultaneously (in one salvo). Shot packages are replaced with loaded ones. It is impossible to recharge the missiles one at a time, since the containers are charged and sealed at the factory. The weight of a standard package is 2270 kg, and its shelf life is 10 years.
M142 HIMARS Ammunition Range
The M142 HIMARS complex is adapted to the use of existing ammunition from the M270 MLRS. They are designated as MFOM – MLRS Family of Munitions (MLRS Ammunition Family). Among them are unguided and guided 227 mm rockets with a length of 3.94 m, which have different weights and loads. We are talking about the M26, M26A1/A2 cluster projectiles, with a range of 32 to 45 km, and the M28, M28A1/A2 training and practical projectiles.
In addition, guided missiles of the GMLRS family are used. These are M30 (M30A1/A2) projectiles with 404 submunitions or 182,000 tungsten balls, as well as a combined guidance system (inertial and GPS). When using them, the firing range is up to 84 km. The M31 (M31A1/A2) missiles are a modification of the ammunition described above. They have a high-explosive 90-kilogram warhead. They can be triggered by the approach of a blow or with a delay.
When using the installation, missiles of the AFOM – Army TACMS Family of Munitions (Army ATACMS family of Munitions) family are used as a missile defense system. These are M39 tactical ammunition (MGM-140) of various modifications. For example, the MGM-140A is a missile equipped with an inertial control system, a cluster warhead (950 elements) and capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 165 km. MGM-140B is an upgraded version with inertial satellite control. Delivers 275 combat elements per 300 km.
The MGM-140B Block A1 Unit modification with a 226-kilogram high-explosive warhead and a flight range of up to 270 km, the M57 with a similar warhead, but an increased combat distance (300 km), as well as the M57E1 with a GPS guidance system and an air detonation function are also used. In addition, the US armed forces have already received the first copies of advanced warheads PrSM – Precision Strike Missile (High-precision impact projectile), which are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 499 km.
The history of the subsequent development of the M142 HIMARS
Lockheed Martin UK and INSYS have worked together to create a lightweight British equivalent of HIMARS. This installation had one MLRS module based on the Supacat SPV600 platform. The project was closed in 2007. In addition, an autonomous multipurpose launcher (AML), an unmanned modification of HIMARS, is being developed. It is equipped with two missile packages and is compatible with all existing types of ammunition for this MLRS.
After the start of its work, representatives of Thaless Australia announced the possibility of manufacturing GMLRS missiles in Australia. Relevant negotiations are underway at the level of the governments of the two countries. On September 11, 2023, the Polish Ministry of Defense signed a framework agreement with Lockheed Martin on the assembly of 486 HIMARS on the Jelcz 663.45 6×6 chassis in Poland. The work will be carried out within the framework of the Homar-A project. At the same time, an agreement was signed with the German company Rheinmetall on the joint development of the global MLRS GMARS.
Worldwide distribution and modern use of [/b] M142 HIMARS
The US Armed Forces have 368 HIMARS installations, and 47 more are registered in the Marine Corps. In addition, Singapore acquired 18 cars, and the United Arab Emirates – 32 complexes. Jordan was supplied with 12 MLRS. Romania has already received 36 units out of 54 ordered. Seven out of 486 copies were transferred to Poland. After the start of its military operation, the United States supplied Ukraine with 38 installations, and Germany with three machines. At the end of 2024, it is planned to transfer 11 HIMARS to Taiwan.
[b] Interesting facts: these installations are presented in the computer games Battlefield 4, People Playground and Simple Car Crash Physics Sim, as well as in modifications to GTA V and Teardown. The captured vehicles became part of the expositions of the Patriot Park Museum complex and the Military Historical Museum of Artillery of St. Petersburg. HIMARS prefabricated models are produced by the Dragon (1/72 scale) and Trumpeter (1/35) brands.
In May 2022, the sale of 20 units to Australia was approved, then 42 more units were ordered. In November, a contract was signed for the supply of eight MLRS to Lithuania. In December, an agreement was signed on the sale of six systems to Estonia. In December 2023, relevant contracts were signed with Italy (21 units) and Latvia (six MLRS). In August 2024, Croatia announced the order of eight installations and 16 by Norway. In addition, Bulgaria, Sweden and the Philippines are potential operators of the system.
Combat use of the M142 HIMARS
Three HIMARS units first entered combat in July 2007, during the Iraq War. Their use has been recognized as successful. But in February 2010, during Operation Moshtarak in Afghanistan, 12 civilians were killed due to the deviation from the target of two missiles fired from HIMARS. Therefore, the operation of HIMARS systems was suspended until the investigation was completed. After these citizens were recognized as a "human shield" of the Taliban, the use of MLRS was resumed.
Since November 2015, these installations have been used to fight terrorists in Iraq, and since June 2017 – in Syria. In April 2016, it was announced the deployment of several installations in the border regions of Turkey to suppress the activity of ISIS*. These systems were used to destroy opium production laboratories in Afghanistan and eliminate Taliban leaders in the city of Musa Qala. In 2018, they took part in the battles near Hasham in Deir ez-Zor province and attacked Syrian government forces.
In the summer of 2022, the transfer of HIMARS to Ukraine began. Their participation in the fighting was recorded on June 24. The installations were also used to attack command posts of the Russian Armed Forces, fuel and ammunition depots, communications and other infrastructure.
In May 2023, Ukrainian gunners began to declare the large-scale suppression of HIMARS guidance systems by Russian electronic warfare (EW). The first confirmed data on the defeat of these systems began to arrive in the spring of 2024. So, one installation was eliminated near the village of Nikanorovka (DPR), and two were seriously damaged. In addition, it was reported that two MLRS were hit near the settlement of Malotaranovka, and one near Krasnoarmeysk. Another car was destroyed near Konstantinovka. In general, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation regularly reports on the destruction of the HIMARS complexes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Conclusion
HIMARS is an effective, multi-purpose missile system capable of creating an advantage on the battlefield in modern warfare. It is sufficiently technological and mobile to avoid return fire, has powerful and diverse weapons, but is not suitable for repair in the field. This system has significant modernization potential and will remain relevant for many years.
* The organization(s) have been liquidated or their activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation
