New GMLRS Rocket Motor Test to Boost Ammunition Output for U.S. Army HIMARS and M270 Rocket Launchers.

Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have fired a newly manufactured solid rocket motor for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets used by U.S. Army M142 HIMARS and M270 rocket launchers, marking a key step toward establishing an additional U.S. propulsion production source. The effort could expand ammunition output and strengthen the supply chain supporting U.S. Army long-range precision fires.

A U.S. Army M142 HIMARS rocket artillery system fires a guided rocket during a live-fire exercise. Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have tested a new GMLRS solid rocket motor to support expanded U.S. ammunition production and strengthen the supply of long-range precision fires. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War/Defense)

The firing demonstrates progress toward increasing the industrial capacity needed to sustain U.S. Army rocket artillery operations during prolonged conflicts. Establishing another domestic motor manufacturer could reduce production bottlenecks and ensure a more reliable supply of precision-guided rockets capable of engaging targets beyond 70 kilometers.

The test involved a Lockheed Martin-designed GMLRS rocket motor loaded with solid propellant through the company's industrial collaboration with General Dynamics. Although detailed performance results have not been released, the firing confirms that the effort has progressed beyond manufacturing preparations to physical propulsion testing. The exact firing date, test location, and qualification status remain undisclosed.

Related Topic: U.S. Army Lays Groundwork for 133,014 GMLRS Rockets to Expand HIMARS Firepower Through 2034

Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, recently disclosed the development in an interview with Breaking Defense. Cahill confirmed that the motor had been loaded with propellant and fired several days before the interview. The milestone follows an August 2024 teaming agreement under which General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) committed to manufacturing solid rocket motors for Lockheed Martin's GMLRS ammunition at its Camden, Arkansas, facility.

Solid rocket motors are a critical component of GMLRS production and require specialized manufacturing, testing, and qualification before entering regular ammunition production.

For the U.S. Army, this industrial expansion directly supports the operational availability of HIMARS and M270 rocket artillery units. The wheeled M142 HIMARS carries one launch pod containing six GMLRS rockets, while the tracked M270 carries two pods with a combined capacity of 12 rockets. Both systems provide precision fire against artillery positions, command posts, ammunition depots, logistics concentrations, and other high-value targets beyond the reach of many conventional tube artillery systems.

The standard GMLRS rocket combines inertial navigation with GPS guidance to deliver precision strikes at ranges exceeding 70 kilometers. Its Unitary configuration carries an approximately 90-kilogram high-explosive warhead for point targets, while the Alternative Warhead configuration uses fragmentation effects against dispersed targets. These capabilities enable HIMARS and M270 units to engage selected targets with greater accuracy and fewer rounds than conventional unguided rocket artillery.

Lockheed Martin is also developing and producing the Extended-Range GMLRS (ER GMLRS), designed to reach approximately 150 kilometers while remaining compatible with HIMARS and M270 launchers. The extended-range version incorporates a larger rocket motor and modified flight-control arrangements to increase engagement distance, potentially allowing launchers to strike targets while operating farther from hostile artillery threats. However, the newly disclosed firing involved only a GMLRS motor, and the companies have not confirmed that the tested propulsion system is intended for the extended-range variant.

The propulsion milestone comes as efforts to increase GMLRS manufacturing capacity respond to American and allied ammunition requirements. Lockheed Martin previously announced plans to increase annual production capacity from approximately 10,000 rockets in 2024 to 14,000 in 2025. Expanding motor manufacturing is essential to sustaining higher output because additional assembly capacity cannot translate into finished ammunition deliveries without sufficient propulsion components, guidance systems, warheads, and other critical parts.

The latest disclosure, published by Breaking Defense on October 9, 2026, provides the first reported confirmation that the General Dynamics propulsion effort has advanced to an actual motor firing. The partnership aims to establish an additional American manufacturing source for GMLRS rocket motors, although neither company has disclosed the production capacity or delivery schedule for the new arrangement.

The partnership also addresses the concentration of solid rocket motor manufacturing within a limited number of U.S. defense suppliers. Northrop Grumman and L3Harris Technologies have historically played major roles in American tactical missile propulsion production. Adding General Dynamics as another manufacturing source could provide greater flexibility, reduce dependence on individual suppliers, and make the GMLRS production network less vulnerable to disruptions.

The operational importance of sustained GMLRS production has become particularly evident during the war in Ukraine, where HIMARS and M270 rocket artillery have been used against Russian ammunition storage facilities, command posts, artillery positions, and logistical infrastructure. These operations have demonstrated the military value of precision rocket artillery, but also the need to maintain sufficient ammunition inventories for prolonged combat. For the U.S. Army, expanding production capacity is essential to preserve readiness, support allied requirements, and replenish stocks.

The newly disclosed firing remains an intermediate technical milestone, not confirmation that the General Dynamics motor is qualified for operational ammunition. Before motors from the additional manufacturing source can support routine GMLRS deliveries, they must demonstrate consistent performance, manufacturing reliability, and compliance with applicable qualification standards. Neither company has announced a completion date for that process or disclosed how many motors the partnership could eventually produce annually.

The strategic significance extends beyond a single rocket motor test. In a major conflict, HIMARS and M270 units' ability to conduct repeated precision strikes depends on ammunition production rates, inventory depth, and the resilience of the industrial base supporting those weapons. By moving a new domestic GMLRS propulsion source into physical testing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics are advancing an industrial capability that could help the United States sustain precision rocket artillery operations, replenish depleted ammunition stocks, and maintain long-range firepower during extended high-intensity warfare.

Explore More Defense News

• Land Defense News
• Naval Defense News
• Defense Aerospace News

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.