Discover firepower of American M142 HIMARS rocket launchers donated to Ukraine to fight Russian troops


According to a video published on the "General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" Facebook account, the HIMARS M142 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) rocket launchers donated by the United States to the Ukrainian army are now fully operational and are used to shell Russian troops deployed in Ukraine.
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American-made M142 HIMARS rocket launchers are now used by Ukrainian soldiers to fight Russian troops deployed in Ukraine. (Picture source Screen Shot Video Footage Ukrainian army)


With the use of the American-made HIMARS M142, the Ukrainian army has now a tactical advantage over Russian forces, indeed, the HIMARS is able to hit land targets at a range of up to 70 km, while standard Russian howitzers have a range of 30 km with standard ammunition. The HIMARS also fires guided ammunition offering more accuracy.

The American HIMARS M142 is also more efficient that Soviet-made MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) such as the BM-21, BM-27 and BM-30 which only used unguided rockets with a firing range of up to 40 km.

The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a multiple rocket launcher system that was developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, under an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) program, placed in 1996.

The M142 HIMARS is based on a 6x6 light truck chassis FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) with a single six-pack of rockets weapon station mounted at the rear of the truck. The front of the truck is fitted with a fully enclosed and armored cab able to accommodate the three-man crew. All the firing operations can be performed from inside the crew cab.

The HIMARS can fire the standard MLRS round, but also the entire MLRS family of munitions, including the extended-range rocket, the reduced-range practice rocket, and all future variants. It can also fire the extended range guided rocket GMLRS, with a range of more than 70 km. The HIMARS is also capable of firing the TACMS Tactical Missile with a maximum range of 300 km.

On June 4, 2022, the United States confirmed the delivery to Ukraine of four M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems), and the first artillery vehicles were delivered to the Ukrainian army at the end of June. United States has also announced the delivery of four additional HIMARS to Ukraine.