Lockheed Martin has announced that it has delivered the 750th unit of the M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) to the US Army.
Due to the war events between Russia and Ukraine, the demand for M142 HIMARS has required Lockheed Martin and the US Army, which manages the program for national needs, allied countries, and international clients (FMS), to increase the annual production rate from 48 to 96 launchers.
To achieve the doubling of the annual production, the US Department of War has awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin worth about 3 billion dollars. This has enabled the company to enhance the facilities with new machinery and increase the workforce, while maintaining the quality of the HIMARS unaltered.
Evolution of the HIMARS System
The HIMARS system is rapidly evolving, becoming a proper missile launcher with the use of the GMLRS-ER, short-range tactical missile ATACMS, and the Precision Strike Missile, exponentially increasing the power and firing precision at long distances.
The initial versions of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) are capable of striking with extreme accuracy targets located more than 500 km away from the launch point; Lockheed Martin and US Army are working on the Extended Range version, which will be about 600/700 km, and a version of 1,000+ km range that will require a larger launcher.
Current Status of the HIMARS Program
Currently, the M142 HIMARS has been adopted by 14 countries including Italy, which is in the process of acquiring 21 systems that will complement the M270s brought to the A2 standard, capable of employing GMLRS, GMLRS-ER and PrSM, provided the Italian Army procures such material.
Source: Lockheed Martin
Photo credit: @US Army
