U.S. Army Certifies Artillery and M270 MLRS Units in Europe Ahead of Live-Fire Evaluations.

U.S. Army images released this week show the 41st Field Artillery Brigade conducting artillery certification training in Europe in late January 2026. The evaluations highlight how battalion-level cannon gunnery supports a wider long-range fires mission tied to NATO and U.S. Army Europe operations.

Photographs published on the official page of the 41st Field Artillery Brigade this week capture U.S. Army artillery units executing certification events across Europe during late January 2026, according to unit releases. The images document Artillery Tables I through V conducted by elements of the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, alongside brigade-level long-range fires systems such as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System, as crews undergo formal evaluation ahead of upcoming live-fire qualifications.
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U.S. Army images show the 41st Field Artillery Brigade certifying cannon and rocket units in Europe during January 2026 training.  (Picture source: 41st Field Artillery Brigade)

The Artillery Tables I to V form a structured progression that remains central to U.S. Army field artillery doctrine. They move from individual and section-level tasks toward full crew certification, testing not only technical knowledge but also discipline and coordination. For 1-77 Field Artillery, the focus during these tables is on consistency rather than speed alone. Crews rehearse emplacement, orientation, communications checks, and ammunition handling while evaluators monitor compliance with established procedures. Fire direction elements operate in parallel, processing missions and verifying data flow to ensure every action on the gun line aligns with doctrinal standards.

Although the 1-77 Field Artillery Regiment is a tube artillery battalion, its certification cycle takes place within the broader fires architecture of the 41st Field Artillery Brigade. This explains the presence of imagery featuring the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System in brigade-level communications. The 41st Field Artillery Brigade is structured as a long-range fires formation, integrating rocket and missile artillery units designed to deliver effects far beyond the forward edge of the battle area. Battalion-level proficiency in basic artillery tasks remains essential, as it underpins the brigade’s ability to synchronize fires across multiple ranges and systems.

The M270 MLRS is a combat-proven 227 mm multiple launch rocket system manufactured by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and in U.S. Army service since the early 1980s. Mounted on a tracked chassis derived from the Bradley family, the system combines armored protection with cross-country mobility. Its launcher carries two pods of six rockets, allowing a total of twelve 227 mm rockets to be fired in a single mission, or one Army Tactical Missile System missile. A three-soldier crew operates entirely from within the enclosed and protected cab, remaining under armor from mission receipt through execution.

In the M270A1 configuration widely fielded today, the system incorporates the Improved Fire Control System with GPS integration, enabling rapid processing of targeting data received from higher headquarters, radars, or joint sensors. The Improved Launcher Mechanical System sharply reduces the time required to aim and reload, cutting exposure after firing and improving survivability against counter battery threats. With standard MLRS rockets, the system can engage targets beyond 32 kilometers, while ATACMS variants extend the engagement envelope to more than 300 kilometers depending on the missile type.

Mobility and endurance are key characteristics of the M270. Powered by a Cummins VTA 903Y engine coupled to a hydro mechanical transmission, the launcher reaches speeds of about 64 kilometers per hour and has an operational range close to 480 kilometers. Its tracked suspension allows effective movement in snow, mud, and forested terrain, conditions frequently encountered at European training areas. The vehicle is equipped with NBC protection and an overpressure system, allowing crews to operate in contaminated environments without leaving the cab.

From a tactical standpoint, the coexistence of tube artillery battalions and MLRS-equipped units inside the same brigade reflects the U.S. Army’s integrated fires approach. Tube artillery delivers responsive and sustained support to maneuver forces, shaping the close fight and enabling movement. Rocket artillery extends reach and depth, striking command posts, logistics nodes, air defense assets, and enemy artillery well beyond the forward line. Certification through Artillery Tables ensures that data, procedures, and discipline at battalion level can seamlessly support brigade level deep fires when required.

Operationally, the 41st Field Artillery Brigade acts as a forward based fires headquarters capable of integrating sensors, radars, and shooters across national boundaries. The M270 MLRS, fielded by numerous NATO members, provides a shared technical and procedural baseline for combined fire missions and multinational exercises. This interoperability strengthens collective effectiveness and reduces friction during coalition operations.

The publication of these images carries meaning beyond training grounds. Visible readiness of U.S. artillery units in Europe reinforces alliance cohesion and conventional deterrence at a time of sustained tension along NATO’s eastern flank. Long range fires systems such as the M270 hold high value targets at risk from protected distances, shaping adversary calculations. By validating both the fundamentals of artillery gunnery and the integration of advanced rocket systems, the 41st Field Artillery Brigade contributes to a wider security posture built on preparedness, credibility, and the ability to act decisively across the depth of the battlefield.