M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
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| M-270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) | |
|---|---|
 M-270 MLRS |
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| Type | Rocket artillery |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | Since March 31, 1983 |
| Used by |  Bahrain
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | Vought Corporation |
| Designed | 1977 |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Produced | 1980 |
| Variants | M-270A1 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 54,500 lbs |
| Length | 22.4 ft |
| Width | 9.8 ft |
| Height | 8.5 ft |
| Crew | 3 |
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| Rate of fire | Rockets - 12 in < 60 sec
Missiles - 2 in 20 sec |
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| Primary armament |
M269 Launcher Loader Module |
| Engine | Cummins Diesel 400 HP |
| Operational range |
300 miles |
| Speed | 40 mph |
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is a multiple rocket launcher, a type of rocket artillery.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The system is capable of firing guided and unguided projectiles to a distance of up to 42 km (26.1 miles). Firing modern munitions (such as the US Army Tactical Missile System - ATACMS) it is capable of reaching out to 300 km (186 miles) with the projectile reaching a maximal altitude of ~50 km (164,000 ft). The M270 is a very mobile unit, thus well suited for the so called shoot-and-scoot tactic: it can fire its rockets very rapidly and immediately move away to avoid the counter-battery fire.
MLRS was developed jointly by the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and France. It was developed from the older General Support Rocket System (GSRS).
The rockets and ATACMS missiles are contained in interchangeable pods. Each pod contains six standard rockets or one guided ATACMS missile (the two types cannot be mixed). The launcher can hold two pods at a time, which it loads using an integrated crane. All twelve rockets or two ATACMS missiles can be fired in under a minute. One launcher firing twelve rockets can completely blanket one square kilometer with submunitions. The US Army is currently working on developing and fielding unitary (one large warhead instead of submunitions) rocket and ATACMS variants, as well as a guided rocket.
When first deployed, the MLRS was used in a composite battalion consisting of 2 batteries of traditional artillery (howitzers) and one battery of MLRS SPLLs (self-propelled loader/launchers). The first operational organic or "all MLRS" battalion started training in the winter of 1985. Alpha Battery, 4/27th FA (MLRS) was deployed en mass to Peden Barracks at Wertheim, West Germany in April of that year. "Sudden Impact" as it was known by its members fired its first rounds in theater and was considered operational in June of that year. Two other firing batteries soon joined.
The 4/27th FA (MLRS) was deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield on Christmas Day 1990. It has since been used in numerous military engagements including the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Frightened Iraqi soldiers gave it the nickname "steel rain".
MLRS has recently been upgraded with guided rounds. Phase I testing of a guided unitary round (XM31) was completed on an accelerated schedule in March 2006. Due to an Urgent Need Statement the guided unitary round has already been fielded and used in action in Iraq.[1] Lockheed Martin also received a contract to convert existing M30 DPICM GMLRS rockets to the XM31 unitary variant.[2]
[edit] Rocket specifications
- Caliber: 227 mm (8.94 in)
- Length: 3.94 m (12.93 ft)
- Motor: Solid-fuel rocket
[edit] M26
- Weight: 306 kg (675 lb)
- Maximum range: 32 km (20 miles)
- Warhead: 644 M77 DPICM submunitions
[edit] M26A1/A2
- Weight: 296 kg (650 lb)
- Maximum range: over 45 km (28 miles)
- Warhead:
- M26A1 - 518 M85 DPICM submunitions
- M26A1 - 518 M77 DPICM submunitions
[edit] M30/XM31
- Maximum range: over 45 km (28 miles)
- Guidance: GPS/INS
- Warhead:
- M30 - 404 M85 DPICM submunitions
- XM31 - 90 kg (200 lb) unitary HE
[edit] AT2 SCATMIN
- Weight: 254.46 kg
- Maximum range: 39 km
[edit] PARS SAGE-227 F
- Weight: over 300 kg/160 kg
- Maximum range: over 70 km
[edit] Launcher specifications
- Entered Service: 1982 (US Army)
- First used in action: 1991 (First Gulf War)
- Crew: 3
- Weight loaded: 24,756 kg
- Length: 7.167 m
- Width: 2.97 m
- Height (stowed): 2.57 m
- Height (max elevation): 5.92 m
- Max road speed: 64 km/h
- Cruise range: 480 km
- Reload time: 9 minutes
- Engine: Turbo-charge 8 cylinder diesel
- Average unit cost: $2.3M [3]
[edit] Operators
- Bahrain
Denmark (no longer in service)
Finland (recently purchased ex-Dutch launchers, but they have not yet entered service)
France
Egypt
Germany
Greece
Israel
Italy
Japan
The Netherlands (no longer in service, sold to Finland in 2004)
Norway (no longer in active service)
South Korea
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
[edit] Notes
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Lockheed US MLRS
- British MLRS
- Designation Systems
- Diehl BGT - German developer and manufacturer of GMLRS (site in English)
