High Mobility Artillery rocket system
Encyclopedia
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a U.S. light multiple rocket launcher
mounted on a truck.
The HIMARS carries six rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System
(ATACMS) missile on the U.S. Army
's new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) five-ton truck, and can launch the entire M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
(MLRS) family of munitions. HIMARS is interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1, carrying half the rocket load.
The vehicle is C-130 transportable and produced by BAE Systems
Mobility & Protection Systems (formerly Armor Holdings
Aerospace and Defense Group Tactical Vehicle Systems Division), the OEM
of the FMTV. The rocket system is produced by Lockheed Martin
.
arranged with the United States Army
to acquire 40 of the systems. Fielding began in 2005. In July 2007, Marines from Fox Battery 2nd Battalion 14 Marines were deployed to the Al Anbar province of Iraq
. This is the first Marine unit to use the HIMARS in combat.
HIMARS was also tested as a common launcher for both artillery rockets and the surface launched variant of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missile.
Singapore
As of September 2007, the Singapore Army
proposed to acquire HIMARS systems. The package includes 18 HIMARS launchers, 9 FMTV 5-Ton Trucks and XM31 unitary HE GMLRS pods, plus associated support and communications equipment and services. This proposed package is notable for not involving the M-26 or other unguided MLRS rockets. In late 2009, Singapore took delivery of the first HIMARS firing unit and achieved Full Operational Capability. The 23rd Battalion, Singapore artillery comissioned its HIMARS battery on 5th September 2011. It marks the first fully GPS-guided HIMARS unit.
(ISAF) for Afghanistan indicated in a press release that it was thought that two rockets fired from a HIMARS unit fell 300 metres short of their intended target and killed 12 civilians during Operation Moshtarak
. ISAF suspended the use of the HIMARS until a full review of the incident was completed. A British officer later said that the rockets were on target, that the target was in use by the Taliban, and use of the system has been reinstated. Reports indicate that the civilian deaths were due to the Taliban's use of an occupied dwelling, the presence of civilians at that location was not known to the ISAF forces. An October 21, 2010 report in the New York Times credited HIMARS with aiding the NATO offensive in Kandahar by targeting Taliban commanders' hideouts, forcing many to flee to Pakistan, at least temporarily.
had jointly developed a demonstrator rocket artillery system similar to HIMARS for the British Army's 'Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System/Rocket' (LIMAWS(R)) program. The system consisted of a single MLRS pod, mounted on a Supacat
SPV600 chassis. The LIMAWS(R) programs was cancelled in September 2007.
, said the plan to acquire rocket launchers was something that "would be considered much further down the road—possibly in the 2012 time frame.
Multiple rocket launcher
A multiple rocket launcher is a type of unguided rocket artillery system. Like other rocket artillery, multiple rocket launchers are less accurate and have a much lower rate of fire than batteries of traditional artillery guns...
mounted on a truck.
The HIMARS carries six rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System
Army Tactical Missile System
The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System is a surface-to-surface missile , range over 100 miles, with solid propellant, 13 feet height and 24 inches diameter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin...
(ATACMS) missile on the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) five-ton truck, and can launch the entire M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the...
(MLRS) family of munitions. HIMARS is interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1, carrying half the rocket load.
The vehicle is C-130 transportable and produced by BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
Mobility & Protection Systems (formerly Armor Holdings
Armor Holdings, Inc.
Armor Holdings, Inc. was a manufacturer of military, law enforcement and personnel safety equipment. It was acquired by BAE Systems on July 31, 2007 and renamed BAE Systems Mobility & Protection Systems...
Aerospace and Defense Group Tactical Vehicle Systems Division), the OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
of the FMTV. The rocket system is produced by Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
.
Deployment
In 2002, the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
arranged with the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
to acquire 40 of the systems. Fielding began in 2005. In July 2007, Marines from Fox Battery 2nd Battalion 14 Marines were deployed to the Al Anbar province of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. This is the first Marine unit to use the HIMARS in combat.
HIMARS was also tested as a common launcher for both artillery rockets and the surface launched variant of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missile.
SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
As of September 2007, the Singapore ArmySingapore Army
The Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
proposed to acquire HIMARS systems. The package includes 18 HIMARS launchers, 9 FMTV 5-Ton Trucks and XM31 unitary HE GMLRS pods, plus associated support and communications equipment and services. This proposed package is notable for not involving the M-26 or other unguided MLRS rockets. In late 2009, Singapore took delivery of the first HIMARS firing unit and achieved Full Operational Capability. The 23rd Battalion, Singapore artillery comissioned its HIMARS battery on 5th September 2011. It marks the first fully GPS-guided HIMARS unit.
Operational history
On February 14, 2010, the International Security Assistance ForceInternational Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
(ISAF) for Afghanistan indicated in a press release that it was thought that two rockets fired from a HIMARS unit fell 300 metres short of their intended target and killed 12 civilians during Operation Moshtarak
Operation Moshtarak
Operation Moshtarak was an ISAF pacification offensive in the area that is described as the "poppy-growing belt" of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. The combat operations started on February 13, 2010, and focuses on the Nad Ali District and Lashkar Gah district...
. ISAF suspended the use of the HIMARS until a full review of the incident was completed. A British officer later said that the rockets were on target, that the target was in use by the Taliban, and use of the system has been reinstated. Reports indicate that the civilian deaths were due to the Taliban's use of an occupied dwelling, the presence of civilians at that location was not known to the ISAF forces. An October 21, 2010 report in the New York Times credited HIMARS with aiding the NATO offensive in Kandahar by targeting Taliban commanders' hideouts, forcing many to flee to Pakistan, at least temporarily.
Specifications
| Crew: | 3: Gunner, Driver, and Section Chief |
| Weight: | 24,000 lb |
| Length: | 7m |
| Width: | 2.4m |
| Height: | 3.2m |
| Vehicle Range: | 480 km |
| Road Speed: | 85 km/hour |
| Armament: | 6 x 227mm M270 M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the... series rockets or 1 MGM-140 ATACMS missile |
Related developments
Lockheed Martin UK and INSYSINSYS
INSYS Ltd is a British defence contractor, located in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. INSYS is a leading UK defence contractor supplying integrated system solutions to the UK and allied armed forces directly or through global prime contractors. It was formed by a management buy-out of Hunting Engineering...
had jointly developed a demonstrator rocket artillery system similar to HIMARS for the British Army's 'Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System/Rocket' (LIMAWS(R)) program. The system consisted of a single MLRS pod, mounted on a Supacat
Supacat
Supacat, officially Supacat Limited, is a British company which designs and manufactures high mobility vehicles. Established in 1981, and based at the Airfield, Dunkeswell, Devon, Supacat develops specialist vehicles for both civil customers and the military.-Products:* The 6x6 All Terrain...
SPV600 chassis. The LIMAWS(R) programs was cancelled in September 2007.
Operators
- United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
- Active Duty
- 17th Fires Brigade17th Fires Brigade (United States)The 17th Fires Brigade is an artillery brigade in the United States Army. It is currently based in Fort Lewis Washington and supports I Corps.-History:...
- 5th Battalion 3rd Field Artillery Regiment3rd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)The 3rd Field Artillery Regiment is an Field Artillery regiment of the United States Army first formed in 1907-History:The 3rd Field Artillery Regiment was first activated in 1907 from numbered companies of artillery...
- 1st Battalion 94th Field Artillery Regiment94th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)The 94th Field Artillery Regiment is an Field Artillery regiment of the United States Army. first Constituted 1933 in the Regular Army.-Lineage:Constituted 1 October 1933 in the Regular Army as the 94th Field Artillery...
- 5th Battalion 3rd Field Artillery Regiment
- 18th Fires Brigade18th Fires Brigade (United States)The 18th Fires Brigade is the only fires brigade under XVIII Airborne Corps. It is currently based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and supports the 82nd Airborne Division and other Corps units...
- 3rd Battalion 27th Field Artillery Regiment27th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)The 27th Field Artillery Regiment is an Field Artillery regiment of the United States Army. first Constituted in 1918 in the National Army -History:...
- 3rd Battalion 27th Field Artillery Regiment
- 214th Fires Brigade214th Fires Brigade (United States)The 214th Fires Brigade is an artillery brigade in the United States Army. It is currently based in Fort Sill Oklahoma and supports the 4th Infantry Division located at Fort Carson, Colorado...
- 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment14th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)The 14th Field Artillery Regiment is an Field Artillery regiment of the United States Army first formed in 1916-History:The 14th Field Artillery was Constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma-Lineage:...
- 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment
- 17th Fires Brigade
- Army National GuardArmy National GuardEstablished under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
- 65th Fires Brigade65th Fires Brigade (United States)The 65th Fires Brigade is an artillery brigade in the US Army National Guard. It is part of the Utah Army National Guard. The brigade was formerly called I Corps Artillery...
(UT ARNGUtah Army National GuardThe Utah National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions...
)- 5th Battalion 113th Field Artillery Regiment113th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)The 113th Field Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the United States Army National Guard.-1st Battalion:1st Battalion is currently an organic unit of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the North Carolina Army National Guard....
(NC ARNGNorth Carolina Army National GuardThe North Carolina Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army, the United States National Guard, and the North Carolina National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its...
)
- 5th Battalion 113th Field Artillery Regiment
- 45th Fires Brigade (OK ARNGOklahoma Army National GuardThe Oklahoma Army National Guard is the Army National Guard component of the Oklahoma National Guard. The Commander in Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard is the Governor of Oklahoma, who appoints the State Adjutant General , a Major General from either Army or Air. Currently, the TAG is Major...
) - 142nd Fires Brigade (AR ARNGArkansas Army National GuardThe Arkansas Army National Guard is a component of the Arkansas National Guard and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
)- 1st Battalion 181st Field Artillery Regiment (TN ARNG)
- 169th Fires Brigade169th Fires Brigade (United States)The 169th Fires Brigade is an artillery brigade in the US Army National Guard. It is part of the Colorado Army National Guard. The 169th Fires Brigade is currently composed of:* Headquarters & Headquarters Battery...
(CO ARNGColorado Army National GuardThe Colorado Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
)- 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery Regiment(KS ARNGKansas Army National GuardThe Kansas Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
)
- 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery Regiment(KS ARNG
- 197th Fires Brigade197th Fires Brigade (United States)The 197th Fires Brigade is an artillery brigade in the U.S. Army National Guard. It is part of the New Hampshire National Guard...
(NH ARNGNew Hampshire Army National GuardNew Hampshire Army National Guard was created in 1680 by New Hampshire governor John Cutt.- History :* During World War II the New Hampshire Army National Guardsmen fought in the European and Pacific theaters....
)- 3rd Battalion 197th Field Artillery Regiment
- 1st Battalion 182nd Field Artillery Regiment (MI ARNGMichigan Army National Guard- Units :* Joint Forces Headquarters, Lansing, MI* 177th Military Police Brigade, Taylor, MI* 210th Military Police Battalion, Taylor, MI* 1st Battalion, 182nd Field Artillery, Detroit, MI* 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery, Lansing, MI...
)
- 115th Fires Brigade (WY ARNGWyoming Army National GuardThe Wyoming Army National Guard is the Army National Guard of Wyoming. It includes army aviation, construction engineers, field artillery and medical asset units. It was reorganized in 1996, consolidating its two field artillery battalions into a single battalion...
)- 1st Battalion 121st Field Artillery Regiment (WI ARNG)
- 65th Fires Brigade
- Active Duty
- United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
- 11th Marine Regiment
- 5th Battalion 11th Marines5th Battalion 11th Marines5th Battalion 11th Marines is an High Mobility Artillery Rocket System HIMARS battalion of three Firing Batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the first active duty HIMARS Unit in the Marine Corps. They fall under...
- 5th Battalion 11th Marines
- 14th Marine Regiment
- 2nd Battalion 14th Marines2nd Battalion 14th Marines2nd Battalion, 14th Marines is a reserve artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries and a headquarters battery. The battalion is based in Grand Prairie, Texas and as of early 2006 has become the first fully operational HIMARS battery in the Marine Corps-Mission:Augment and reinforce...
- 2nd Battalion 14th Marines
- 11th Marine Regiment
- Singapore ArmySingapore ArmyThe Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
(18) (Partially delivered)- 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery (23 SA)
- United Arab Emirates ArmyUnited Arab Emirates ArmyAs part of the military of the United Arab Emirates the United Arab Emirates Ground Force is responsible for land operations.-History:In 1971 the Trucial Oman Scouts were renamed Union Defence Force upon the formation of United Arab Emirates and consisted of 2,500 regular military personnel...
(20) (On Order)
- Jordanian ArmyRoyal Jordanian Land ForceThe Royal Jordanian Land Force is part of the Jordanian Armed Forces . It draws its origins from units first formed in the British Mandate of Transjordan in the 1920s. It has seen combat against Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973...
12 HIMARS system + another 12 HIMARS launchers ordered
Potential and future operators
The Department of National Defence is considering the purchase of HIMARS. The former Chief of the Land Staff, Lieutenant-General Andrew LeslieAndrew Leslie
Lieutenant-General Andrew Brooke Leslie, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD is the Chief of Transformation of the Canadian Forces, and a former Chief of the Land Staff.-Background:...
, said the plan to acquire rocket launchers was something that "would be considered much further down the road—possibly in the 2012 time frame.
See also
- List of U.S. Army Rocket Launchers by model number
- BM-27 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemBM-27The BM-27 Uragan is a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system designed in the Soviet Union. It began its service with the Soviet Army in the late 1970s, as its first modern spin and fin stabilized heavy multiple rocket launcher. This system is capable of launching 220 mm rockets from...
- BM-30 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemBM-30The BM-30 Smerch or 9A52 is a Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher. The system is designed to defeat personnel, armored, and soft-skinned targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was created in the early 1980s and entered service in the Soviet...
- M-26 artillery rocketM-26 artillery rocketM26 is the basic MLRS rocket. It is unguided with a range of 20mi . It is armed with 644 M77 DPICM anti-personnel/anti-materiel grenades, which are dispersed over the target in mid-air and detonate on impact....
- M270 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemM270 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemThe M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the...
- TOS-1 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemTOS-1TOS-1 is a Soviet 30-barrel or 24-barrel multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed for defeating enemy personnel in fortifications, in open country, and in lightly armoured vehicles and transport...
- Astros II
External links
- http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/himars.htm
- Army-Technology.com: HIMARS
- Lockheed-Martin: HIMARS
- DoD Press Release on Proposed HIMARS Sale to Singapore
- Information about M26/M30/M31 MLRS rockets on designation-systems.net
- MERX Release on Proposed HIMARS to the Canadian Forces in 2010
- Use of HIMARS system suspended in Afghanistan after 12 civilians killed by 300m targeting error