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High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars)

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    2nd Jun, 2022

Context

The US President recently said that the US will send advanced missile systems to Ukraine. 

What system will the US provide?

  • The new weapon is the Himars multiple launch rocket system, or MLRS: a mobile unit that can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles.
  • The M142 Himars system (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a modernised, lighter and more agile wheel-mounted version of the track-mounted M270 MLRS developed in the 1970s for US and allied forces.
    • The US military already has Himars units in Europe; and Nato allies Poland and Romania have acquired the systems.
  • The new weapon is the Himars multiple launch rocket system, or MLRS: a mobile unit that can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles.
    • Both Ukraine and Russia already operate MLRS, but Himars has superior range and precision.
  • Himars units carry one preloaded pod of six 227mm guided missiles (the M270 carries two pods), or one large pod loaded with an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) tactical missile. 
    • The US will not supply Ukraine with the ATACMS, which has a range of 300km.
  • The Himars that Washington is providing to Ukraine will have a range of about 50 miles (80km).

Specification

  • With a small crew, the Himars can remove a spent pod and load a fresh one in minutes, without other vehicles helping. The crews will require some training.

Advantages for Ukraine

  • Himars will give Ukraine’s forces the ability to strike further behind Russian lines, and at distances better protected from Russia’s own long-range weaponry.
  • The GPS-guided missiles the Himars shoot have a range about double that of the M777 howitzers that the US recently supplied to Ukraine forces.
  • At roughly 80km it generally puts Himars out of range of Russia’s own artillery, while placing the Russian batteries at risk.
  • It also could threaten Russian supply depots, amid western belief that the Russian forces suffer logistical problems.
  • Himars can be a “game-changer” in the war at a time when Ukraine forces appear to be struggling under Russian artillery fire.
    • Both Ukraine and Russia already operate MLRS, but Himars has superior range and precision.

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