IDET
24.-26.5. 2023

Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a lightweight, highly mobile wheeled variant of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of launchers. HIMARS carries a single six-pack of Guided MLRS Unitary or Alternative Warhead rockets, or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile, on a 5-ton truck chassis. Additionally, HIMARS will also fire the developmental Extended-Range GMLRS rocket and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).

HIMARS is a combat-proven precision strike system that has exceeded 1.5 million operational hours with U.S. and allied military forces since its initial fielding in 2005. The vehicle is C-130 transportable, offering military commanders the capability to rapidly deploy HIMARS units over great distances to support both homeland and regional threats.  HIMARS uses the same fire control system, electronics and communications units as the standard MLRS M270A1 launcher.

HIMARS has demonstrated a combat-readiness rate exceeding 97 percent. Current users of the U.S. MLRS system include the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and 18 international partners. Several other nations are strongly considering procuring HIMARS for their mobile precision fires requirements.

HIMARS can be moved into areas previously inaccessible to the larger aircraft required to transport the MLRS M270 family of launchers. And on the road, the lightweight HIMARS travels at much faster speeds. The HIMARS chassis was originally the FMTV 5-ton truck, provided to Lockheed Martin as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). But today, Lockheed Martin builds those trucks from the ground up at its Precision Fires Center of Excellence in Camden, Arkansas.

The fully loaded HIMARS vehicle weighs approximately 34,000 pounds, compared to approximately 55,000 pounds for the MLRS M270A1 launcher. HIMARS requires 30 percent fewer airlifts to transport a battery (6 launchers per battery for the USMC, 8 to 9 launchers per battery for the Army).

The U.S. Army and Marine Corps use the HIMARS platform to extend the traditional battlespace engagements by developing and testing interoperability/integration exercises utilizing fighter jets and maritime platforms.