Mlrs And Himars – Multi Launch Rocket Systems

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With changing equations across the world it has become very important to keep the defense forces equipped with latest artilleries and ammunitions. MLRS or M270 Multi Launch Rocket system and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS are such rocket systems that can increase the efficiency of any military system.
MLRS was incorporated in the US army in 1983 and this was followed by various NATO countries. Its last batch was given to Egyptian army after which its production was stopped for ever. More than 1300 of these systems along with 700, 000 rockets were manufactured in US and in Europe.
This weapon can easily fire unguided and guided projectiles to a range of 26.1 miles. If it is used for firing ballistic missiles then it has the capacity to hit targets even at 186 miles. This was developed by the joint efforts of UK, US, France and Germany. It is developed on the basis of the General Support Rocket System. It can be used in firing rockets with high speed and then move away to save itself from counter –battery fire.
ATACMS missiles and rockets are kept in the pods that are interchangeable. Each ...
... of these pods contains six rockets or 1 ATACMS missile which is a guided missile. Both of these cannot be mixed. The launcher can be loaded with 2 pods at one time and these are loaded with the help of integrated crane. It takes less than 1 minute to fire all 12 rockets or 2 ATACMS missiles. MLRS is also known as Grid Square Removal Service because can easily blanket an area of 1 square kilometer. This rocket system got upgraded for the first time in 2006.
HIMARS is member of the MLRS family. It is a highly-mobile weapon system that offers the power of its parent MLRS but on a wheeled body. It was developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control under ACTD programme. HIMARS is a light multiple rocket launcher that is mounted on truck. It can carry 6 rockets or 1 ATACMS on a 5 ton truck. It can launch all the ammunitions of the MLRS family. It is easily interchangeable with MLRS that carries half of the rocket load. It needs a crew of 3 people including a gunner, section chief and a driver and it has a computer based system to control fire. The computerized control makes it possible for 1 person to unload and load the system. Its weight is 24,000 lb and it is 7 meters long. Its range is 480 Kilometers and has the road speed of 85 km/hour.
It has the self loading feature just like MLRS but its launcher mechanical system is much improved. The firing missions can be carried out in manual and automatic mode because of the fire control computer. HIMARS can be transported on C-130 aircraft and it can be taken to all those locations that are considered inaccessible.
MLRS and HIMARS