HIMARS Locked Martin High mobility artillery rocket system

General information

Citation :

AR - The HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is multiple rocket launcher system mounted to a 6x6 FMTV truck chassis. HIMARS was developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control under an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) programme, placed in 1996. The purpose of HIMARS is to engage and defeat artillery, air defence concentrations, trucks, light armour and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations. HIMARS is able to launch its weapons and move away from the area at high speed before enemy forces are able to locate the launch site. Offering Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) firepower on a wheeled chassis, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is the newest member of the MLRS launcher family. HIMARS carries a single six-pack of rockets or one ATACMS missile on the Army's new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) 5-ton truck, and can launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. HIMARS is operated by a crew of three - driver, gunner and section chief - but the computer-based fire control system enables a crew of two or even a single soldier to load and unload the system. HIMARS received approval to enter production in March 2003 and is currently in Full Rate Production. HIMARS successfully completed initial operational test and evaluation in November 2004. In May 2005, the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery was the first unit equipped with HIMARS. HIMARS has been a joint system since 2000 when the U.S. Marine Corps joined the program. It was successfully combat-tested in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Armament

Citation :

HIMARS carries a single six-pack of rockets on the army's family of medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) 6x6. The HIMARS (launcher) consists of a carrier (automotive portion) and a Fire Control system (FCS) that computes all fire mission data and a Launcher-Loader Module (LLM) portion that performs all operations necessary to complete a fire mission. The launcher system is composed of two lines of three tubes launchers. The HIMARS can firing the standard MLRS round, but also entire MLRS family of munitions, including the extended-range rocket, the reduced-range practice rocket and all future variants.

Protection

The front of the HIMARS is fitted whith a fully enclosed and armoured cab, which provided a protection against small arms firing and shell splinters.

Mobility

Thee rocket launcher system HIMARS is fitted to the 6x6 chassis of the medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) all-wheel drive 5t truck. The FMTV standard cargo truck is motorised with a Caterpillar C7 engine coupled to an automatic Allison 3700SP transmission with 7 speed.

HIMARS is C-130 transportable and can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to heavier launchers. It also incorporates the self-loading, autonomous features that have made MLRS the premier rocket artillery system in the world. The HIMARS fire control system, electronics and communications units are interchangeable with the existing MLRS M270A1 launcher, and the crew and training are the same. HIMARS is equipped with as self-loading and autonomous system. The HIMARS is equipped with a fire control system which includes video, keyboard control, a gigabyte of programme storage and global positioning system. The fire control computer allows firing missions to be carried out in automatic or manual mode.

Armament
6 MLRS series rockets or 1 ATACMS missile
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Country users
United States, Canada, Singapore,United Arab Emirates, Jordan
Designer Company
Lockeed Martin
Accessories
Firing control system
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Crew
3 soldiers
Armor
Protection against small aarms firing and shell splinters.
Weight truck
10,886 kg
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Speed truck
85 km/h maximum speed on road
Firing Range
- 45 km with ER-MLRS rocket
- 70 km with the new extended range guided rocket GMLRS
Dimensions
Lenght, 5,046 m; Width, 2,16 m; Height, 2,251 m

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