Missiles for MLRS/HIMARS and their capabilities
Ukrainian MLRS HIMARS in the Zaporozhye region, July 2022. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
A few months ago, foreign partners began to transfer modern American-made M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems to the Kyiv regime. Together with them, various types of ammunition are supplied, mainly from the current GMLRS family. Such rockets are actively used in different sectors of the front, but the results of these firings are far from those promised by advertising and propaganda.
The evolution of ammunition
MLRS M270 MLRS entered service with the US Army in the early eighties. Together with her, the first shells of the MFOM (MLRS Family Of Munition) line were developed. Later, within this family, several missiles appeared with different features and differences.
The basis of the MFOM line was the M26 unguided rocket. She could fly at a distance of 15 to 32 km and carried a cluster warhead. The latter could hold 644 M77 DPICM HEAT rounds. Based on this projectile, the M26A1 ER and M26A2 ER missiles were developed. Due to the improved engine, the maximum launch range has increased to 45 km. The product of the "A1" version received a cassette warhead with 518 M85 submunitions - an improved version of the M77. The M26A2 rocket used a similar cassette with 518 M77 ammunition.
The M28 missiles and their variants were used to train the calculations. The original M28 repeated the M26 as much as possible, but carried an inert warhead with smoke bombs. The M28A1 rocket received a different engine, and the flight range was reduced to 9 km. M28A2 had the same characteristics, but differed in lower cost.
Installations are firing. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
At the end of the 26s, the US Army decided to abandon the unguided missiles of the M28 and MXNUMX families. By this time, the ammunition was morally and physically obsolete, and in addition, it no longer met safety requirements. The process of decommissioning and disposal began, ending in the second half of the tenth. The United States was followed by other countries that were armed with MLRS or HIMARS.
In the context of unguided rockets, the German product AT2, designed for remote mining of the terrain, should be noted separately. It flies 38 km and carries 28 AT2 anti-tank mines in the DM1399 modification. In fact, it is the only M270/M142 unguided munition currently in service.
guided missiles
In the middle of the XNUMXs, the first representatives of the new family of Guided MLRS (GMLRS) missiles appeared, distinguished by the presence of control systems. In the future, this family became the basis of the American MLRS ammunition. To date, it has included several basic missiles and their modifications, and the development of new ones is still ongoing.
The first in the family was the M30 rocket. She flew at a range of up to 92 km and carried a cassette with 404 M101 elements. The ammunition had a guidance system based on inertial and satellite navigation; QUO was declared at the level of several meters. The M30 missile was later replaced with a redesigned M30A1. She received an "alternative warhead" Alternative Warhead (AW) in the form of a unitary charge with 182 thousand ready-made submunitions. Then came the product M30A2 with a more advanced design.
Loading a unified container with missiles on the M142 installation. Photo by the US Department of Defense
In parallel, the M31 missiles were developed, equipped with a 91-kg monoblock high-explosive fragmentation warhead in a steel case. The flight characteristics of such projectiles were at the level of the M30. The M31 missile has undergone two upgrades aimed at improving accuracy and improving economic performance.
Recently, the production of extended-range missiles ER GMLRS has begun. Due to the new engine and other design improvements, they fly 150 km while maintaining high accuracy. Customers are offered XM403 missiles with AW-type warheads and XM404 missiles with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
foreign aid
Deliveries of American MLRS and ammunition for them to Ukraine began this summer. Several countries in total handed over to the Kyiv regime about two dozen military vehicles and large numbers of transport and launch containers with ammunition. Hundreds or even thousands of missiles have been shipped.
Almost all recent US military aid packages include GMLRS missiles. In this case, specific modifications of products are usually not indicated. According to the results of their use, it can be assumed that these are M30 missiles of the basic version, as well as various variants of the M31. In addition, it recently became known about the shipment of M30A1 products with an “alternative” warhead.
Scheme of unguided projectiles for MLRS. Missilery.info graphics
The category of unguided projectiles is represented in deliveries only by AT2 products carrying anti-tank mines. Other missiles without control systems are not supplied due to their absence in the arsenals.
Kyiv would like to receive XM403/404 extended-range missiles, but the US is not going to transfer them. Similar weapon while they will be delivered abroad only on a commercial basis. It should be noted that the situation is similar with the operational-tactical missiles of the ATACMS series. The Ukrainian authorities have been trying to beg them for a long time, but have not succeeded in this.
Practical results
Over the past few months, Ukrainian formations have been quite actively using American MLRS in different sectors of the front and attacking various objects. A large number of such episodes are known, and it is already possible to assess the real capabilities of foreign rockets.
Earlier, the Ukrainian side regularly reported successful strikes against Russian military facilities and declared the high efficiency of foreign MLRS. However, evidence of this was not given, and in fact it was proposed to take the word. At the same time, a lot of cases of MLRS / HIMARS applications have been publicized and well covered in open materials. Available data of this kind show that foreign systems do not always meet the expectations of their owners.
Launch of an unguided rocket. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Of great interest are the attempts of Ukrainian formations to attack the Antonovsky bridge in the city of Kherson. For several months, it has been regularly shelled with imported M30/31 rounds. Guided missiles are successfully aimed at a large stationary target and cause some damage to it, as well as lead to a temporary stoppage of movement.
However, the bridge has not yet been destroyed. Even heavy 91-kg warheads leave only individual holes in reinforced concrete structures and the roadway. Such damage can be repaired, and a few hours after the shelling, the bridge reopens to traffic.
Recently it became known about the use of German AT2 missiles with anti-tank mines of the same name. The Ukrainian side rated such weapons extremely highly and even implausibly. The real results were more modest. She did manage to set up some mines, but it was of no use.
A few days ago, there were reports of the use of missiles with warheads of the AW type. Such ammunition is launched into the cities of the republics of Donbass, and then a lot of striking elements made of tungsten are found on the streets. They cause damage to objects and infrastructure, and also threaten the population.
Shooting with a GMLRS projectile. Photo by the Ministry of Defense Lockheed Martin
It should be noted that it is the settlements and civilian objects that are the main target for the Ukrainian MLRS. Missiles with extended range and any available warheads are used to bombard cities, and this leads to loss of life and destruction of infrastructure. There is no military meaning in such attacks. In fact, we are talking about terror against local residents and attempts to destroy them.
However, such a threat can be dealt with. GMLRS missiles, despite guidance systems, remain ballistic and move along a predictable trajectory. Existing Russian radar stations have shown their ability to detect such targets, and air defense systems and air defense missile systems successfully shoot them down on approach. The interception of one or another number of rockets is regularly reported and, accordingly, the rescue of people and objects.
A combination of factors
From a technical point of view, the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS MLRS, as well as the GMLRS line of ammunition, are quite successful modern weapons. They show high characteristics of range and accuracy of fire, and a wide range of ammunition provides flexibility in use. At the same time, there are limitations, both common to all MLRS, and their own.
It is easy to see that the Ukrainian formations fail to use such weapons with high efficiency, and they do not make the required contribution to the course of hostilities. There are several reasons for this, and a specific combination of such factors leads to a sharp drop in the potential of the MLRS.
The wreckage of the GMLRS rocket used in the shelling of the city of Energodar, August 2022. Photo by Telegram / "Military informant"
First of all, the problem is the lack of equipment and, accordingly, the limited firepower of the units. The existing fleet of two dozen MLRS can only deliver individual strikes of a limited volume. Massive fire raids are virtually excluded.
At the same time, the enemy, represented by the Russian army, has a developed air defense system that can intercept rockets, incl. modern foreign products. From a few volleys, only individual missiles remain, and the effectiveness of the strike drops to a minimum.
It is not surprising that Ukrainian formations, faced with such problems, prefer to use MLRS / HIMARS not as a weapon for the front, but as a means of terror. When firing at civilians or at civilian objects, even a single rocket can cause serious damage and hit the spirit of people.
Unrealized potential
Thus, the M270 and M142 MLRS, as well as their ammunition, have fairly high performance characteristics and are quite modern weapons. At the same time, certain conditions are necessary for the realization of their potential. The Kyiv regime is not able to create them, and therefore the results of the use of foreign multiple launch rocket systems are very modest.
Only foreign partners can influence the current situation. To do this, they must arrange mass deliveries of MLRS and missiles for them. However, such measures are not planned and probably not even considered. And this means that the situation will remain the same, and even the newest and most advanced rockets will not be able to use their potential and will not help the Kyiv regime.
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