M142 HIMARS MLRS

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System missile launchers - United States

The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a multiple rocket launcher system mounted to a 6x6 FMTV truck chassis. HIMARS was developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control under an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) program, placed in 1996. The purpose of HIMARS is to engage and defeat artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations. It is designed to launch guided rockets and tactical ballistic missiles.

HIMARS is able to launch its weapons and move away from the area at high speed before enemy forces are able to locate the launch site. Offering Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) firepower on a wheeled chassis, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is the newest member of the MLRS launcher family. HIMARS carries a single six-pack of rockets or one ATACMS missile on the Army's new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) 5-ton truck and can launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. HIMARS is operated by a crew of three - driver, gunner, and section chief - but the computer-based fire control system enables a crew of two or even a single soldier to load and unload the system.

HIMARS received approval to enter production in March 2003 and is currently in Full-Rate Production. HIMARS successfully completed the initial operational test and evaluation in November 2004. In May 2005, the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery was the first unit equipped with HIMARS. HIMARS has been a joint system since 2000 when the U.S. Marine Corps joined the program. It was successfully combat-tested in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The HIMARS M142 is in service with the United States, Singapore, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. In December 2012, Qatar notified the U.S. of a possible Foreign Military Sale of 7 M142 HIMARS systems. The U.S. State Department approved the FMS (Foreign Military Sale) of 54 HIMARS launchers to Romania in August 2017. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement at the time valued the sale at USD1.25 billion, including related support and equipment. In February 2019, Poland has officially announced the purchase of 20 M142 HIMARS. In July 2019, the American Company has announced the production of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and associated hardware for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Romania, and Poland under a $492 million contract, marking Poland's first acquisition of HIMARS launchers. In April 2022, the Polish Ministry of Defense announced talks with the United States to acquire HIMARS. In May 2022, the United States approved a $40 billion military aid to Ukraine and expects to deliver M142 HIMARS to the Ukrainian army. On June 1, 2022, the United States announced it would deliver HIMARS to Ukraine. On June 1, 2022, the United States confirmed the delivery of four M142 HIMARS to Ukraine. On July 20, 2022, the United States announced a new delivery of four additional HIMARS rocket launchers to Ukraine. On November 9, 2022, the Polish Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with the local defense industry to integrate the HIMARS rocket launcher pod into the Polish Jelcz truck chassis. On November 17, 2022, the Polish Minister of Defense announced the delivery of the first US M142 HIMARS to Poland next year. On December 2, 2022, Director General of the Estonian State Defense Investment Center Magnus-Waldemar Saar signed an agreement with the US Defense and Security Cooperation Agency for the purchase of 6 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems with ammunition including rockets and missiles. On December 16, 2022, Lithuania signed a contract with the United States to purchase 8 American-made M142 HIMARS. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on February 16, 2023, announced that the U.S. State Department has made a determination to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and related equipment for an estimated cost of $670 million.

On August 18, 20223, the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $975 million

M142 HIMARS variants:

No variants at this time

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