M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System

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M270 MLRS.

The M270 MLRS conducts a rocket launch.

The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is the United States Army's multiple rocket launcher, a type of rocket artillery. It is capable of firing guided and unguided projectiles to a distance of up to 42 km (26.1 miles). Firing the 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 unguided 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.

The M270 is in service with the United States Army, the British Army, Bahrain, Royal Danish Army, French Army, the German Army, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea Army, the Dutch Army, Norwegian Army (no longer in active duty, no personnel trained or ammunition purchased), and Turkish Army. In addition, the Finnish Army has recently purchased used Dutch launchers, but they have not entered service yet.

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.

MLRS has recently been upgraded with guided rounds. Currently, Phase I testing of a guided unitary round was completed in March 2006. The warhead is 89 kg (196 lb) and has an enhanced range of 70 km (43 miles).

Specifications (United-States)

• Rocket Caliber: 227 mm (8.94in)
• Launcher Weight: 25191 kg (55420 lb)
• Length of Rocket: 3.94 m (12.93 ft)
• Weight of Rocket: 308 kg (679 lb)
• Warhead Types: Submunition, Unitary
• Maximum Range: 42 km (26 miles)
• Entered Service: 1982 (US Army)
• First used in action: 1991 (First Gulf War)

Specifications (United-Kingdom)

• 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
• Road Range: 480 km
• Engine: Turbo-charge 8 cylinder diesel
• Rocket Diameter: 227 mm
• Rocket Length: 2.93 m
• Rocket Weight:
• * M77 Bomblet 302.5 kg
• * AT2 SCATMIN 254.46 kg
• Range:
• * M77 Bomblet 11.5-32 km
• * AT2 SCATMIN 39 km

External links

• [Lockheed US MLRS]
• [British MLRS]

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