Exclusive: U.S. Army Places Record $4 Billion Order to Boost Guided Rocket Production for Artillery Systems.

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on August 14, 2025, U.S. Company Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, has been awarded a $4,234,948,956 contract for the continued production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions. This latest order is part of a broader multi-year agreement now reaching a total cumulative value of $13.26 billion (approximately 12.2 billion euros), highlighting the sustained importance of precision-guided rocket artillery in U.S. Army modernization efforts and joint allied operations.
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U.S. soldiers from 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade launch M31 Guided Multiple Launch Rockets from their M270A1 MLRS during the Thunder Cloud live-fire exercise at night in Andøya, Norway. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) is a surface-to-surface rocket artillery system designed for precision engagement of high-value targets at ranges up to 70 kilometers, with ongoing development pushing extended-range variants to 150 kilometers. Each GMLRS rocket is equipped with an inertial navigation and GPS guidance system, enabling a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters. This high level of accuracy allows ground forces to strike fortified positions, enemy assembly areas, air defense systems, and logistics hubs with surgical precision and reduced risk of collateral damage.

Fired from both the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the wheeled M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the GMLRS provides unmatched tactical flexibility and survivability. Units employing GMLRS can conduct shoot-and-scoot operations, launching precision fires and rapidly repositioning to avoid counter-battery detection. The system's mobility, speed of employment, and extended reach make it a critical asset in deep-strike and counter-fire missions across contested environments.

Several GMLRS variants are currently in production and operational service. The GMLRS Unitary (M31A1/A2) carries a 90-kilogram high-explosive warhead with a programmable proximity, delay, or point-detonation fuse, optimized for precision strikes against structures, bunkers, or personnel in complex terrain. The GMLRS Alternative Warhead (AW, M30A1) replaces the controversial cluster munition payload with approximately 182,000 preformed tungsten fragments, designed for area effects against soft targets such as infantry and light vehicles, while remaining compliant with international treaties banning cluster munitions. An Extended Range GMLRS (ER GMLRS) variant is currently entering production, featuring redesigned rocket motors and tail control surfaces to achieve ranges up to 150 kilometers, greatly enhancing the standoff capability of artillery units.

The awarding of this $4.2 billion (approximately 3.88 billion euros) production contract reflects not only the U.S. Army's commitment to maintaining a high-readiness stockpile of guided munitions but also the increased international demand driven by recent battlefield successes. The combat-proven performance of GMLRS rockets in the hands of Ukrainian forces has showcased their strategic value in disrupting enemy logistics, neutralizing command posts, and breaking through fortified frontlines with precision that was previously limited to air-delivered munitions.

U.S. Company Lockheed Martin's manufacturing facilities, including the Grand Prairie site and its Camden, Arkansas, plant, are undergoing capacity expansion to support higher production rates. This will ensure rapid fulfillment of both domestic requirements and international orders through Foreign Military Sales programs. As precision long-range fires become a cornerstone of multi-domain operations, GMLRS continues to offer a decisive edge for U.S. and allied artillery units facing evolving threats on today’s dynamic battlefields.