MGM-140 ATACMS

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ATACMS missile firing

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Block II Missile is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The missile has a range of 128 km and is a surface-to-surface missile (SSM). The Block I missile contained 950 M74 submunitions. The Block IA missile contained 275 M74 submunitions, this reduction in payload resulted in a greater range.^[1] A new system, currently in development, has revamped the missile, with a 500lb warhead and new guidance systems that allow for a near vertical attack vector, allowing for greater use in mountainous or urban terrain. A recent test of this "Block 2" missile was shown on an episode of Future Weapons. The Block II ATACAMS missile can also carry a payload of 13 BAT (Brilliant Anti-Tank) munitions.^[2]

The ATACMS can be fired from MLRS launchers, including the M270, M270 IPDS, M270A1, and HIMARS. A ATACMS launch container has a lid which has 6 circles pattern like an ordinarily MLRS rockets' lid for imitating 6 rockets.

The first use of the ATACMS in a combat capability was during Operation Desert Storm, a total of 32 missiles were fired from the M270 MLRS.

During the Operation Iraqi Freedom more than 450 missiles were fired.^[3]

South Korean Army has also purchased 111 ATACMS Block I & 110 ATACMS Block IA.