The HIMARS rocket launcher of United States Army uses to fight enemy threats in Afghanistan 0603125
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Military Defense Technology News - United States | |||
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 10:50 AM | |||
The HIMARS rocket launcher of United States Army uses to fight enemy threats in Afghanistan. | |||
The artillery battery fired precision, GPS-guided rockets from a fast, and accurate fire system called the HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, said 1st Lt. William Prom, the fire direction officer with 3rd Platoon, Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment. The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System enables the Marines to take out enemies in Afghanistan within minutes and strike within feet of a target, every time. (Source U.S. Marine Corps) | |||
A High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is launched from Forward Operating Base Delaram II in Afghanistan by U.S. Marines | |||
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There was enough explosive material to construct hundreds of improvised explosive devices. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment lacked the power to destroy the huge IED cache. They called for fire, and eight rockets landed within seconds of being fired. According to the after action report from the artillery platoon, all rounds impacted on target, the site was destroyed, and there was no collateral damage. | |||
Video Live firing of United States Army HIMARS in Afghanistan | |||
The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System outranges traditional artillery by up to three times, allowing smaller units to cover a larger area. In previous deployments without HIMARS, it was common to send an entire artillery battalion, composed of several smaller batteries, to cover a large area of operations, said 1st. Lt. Tom V. Worthington, the 3rd Platoon commander with Tango Battery, 5th Bn., 11th Marines. With HIMARS, a single battery is able to cover the entire battle space for the partnered forces in Helmand province. “It's a big game changer,” said Staff Sgt. James D. Sanders, the 3rd Platoon sergeant with Tango Battery, 5th Bn., 11th Marines. “It can take out targets unthinkable by traditional artillery.” One HIMARS rocket can destroy a target which previously required four rounds, added Sanders, a 26-year-old native of Wichita, Kan. It has allowed the artillery element to support more units and more operations than before. “Knowing that I can support the Marines on the ground through thick and thin, through firefights, through indirect fire, through IED emplacers... knowing that we're saving lives is a good feeling,” said Alhmedi. “It's what we're meant to do.” | |||