Guided MLRS Reaches New Distance Record

Space War ^ | 11/10/2009 | Space War via SPX

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Lockheed Martin successfully fired a U.S. Army Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket 92 kilometers in a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The flawless test highlighted recent product improvements of this battle-proven system to give it a longer reach, maintaining its accuracy and effectiveness while minimizing potential collateral damage. Firing crews for the launch were from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery from Fort Lewis, WA. This test firing of a unitary GMLRS met all mission objectives, which included:

+ Verify production of GMLRS and HIMARS production lines;

+ Validating rocket and launcher reliability;

+ Proving performance of system software; and

+ Obtaining performance, technical and reliability data.

"Lockheed Martin is constantly improving its products to give our customers more value and enhanced capabilities," said Scott Arnold, vice president for Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"Operational feedback from deployed forces is providing us valuable insight so we can enhance our systems' capabilities to better support the service members we rely on to defend our nations' frontiers."

GMLRS is a combat-proven evolutionary family of rockets that also scored numerous successes again in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where more than 1,200 have been fired by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, and British Army artillery in Afghanistan and Iraq. The GMLRS system, in combat, has maintained a reliability rating of over 98 percent.

GMLRS is the world's premier long-range rocket artillery round designed specifically for destroying high-priority targets at ranges of 70 km and beyond.

[Seven plus One]

CAPTION: The Integration software of the upgraded M20B1 UK launcher fires its first GMLRS rocket at the White Sand Missile Range in New Mexico earlier this year. GMLRS and M270B1 are now deployed in theater in support of UK ground forces and complement their US counterparts. CREDIT: "Lockheed Martin photo"

[bkopto]

Why bother with this stuff? Our neutered leadership will never use it. Rather, send the money to GM, Chrysler, Acorn, SEIU, Calfornia, NY, Michigan, NJ, Detroit, etc etc etc.

[Wiz]

It would be useful in Afghanistan for supporting ambushed troops. Set the coordinates, munition fired, and impact. It eliminates the time loss of jets to scramble from ground.

[tanuki]

Incredible. We now have the ultimate anti-artillery system. Not to mention a ‘90-km sniper’ and Lord knows what else our guys can think up. For sheer economics, old fashioned artillery still has a place, but this is a game-changer-and all we did was gin up a new warhead!

[rmlew]

When is the ATACMS considered a ballistic missile?