Disabled: US finalized M142 HIMARS for Ukraine
ATACMS missile in production
Over the past few months, the Kiev regime has been begging the United States for operational-tactical missiles of the ATACMS family, compatible with M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems. The American side refuses such supplies for political reasons. Moreover, it has now become known that before being sent to Ukraine, the American MLRS were finalized and now cannot use long-range ballistic missiles.
For political reasons
The first MLRS M142 HIMARS from the presence of the American army came to Ukraine in late June or early July. Together with them, a large number of unified transport and launch containers with adjustable rockets of the GMLRS family were transferred. Further deliveries took place. In total, about 20 HIMARS products and at least a thousand missiles were handed over to the Ukrainian side.
Such assistance was accompanied by curious statements by the American leadership. Thus, it was alleged that Washington received guarantees from Kyiv that the M142 would not be used against targets on Russian territory in order to avoid unnecessary escalation of the conflict and drawing the United States into undesirable processes. In addition, it was reported that there were no plans to supply ATACMS operational-tactical missiles. Such weapon were not going to provide for the same political reasons.
Despite all the requests and demands of the Ukrainian side, the United States or its allies have not yet given it ATACMS missiles and are not going to do so. Moreover, it has now become clear that such assistance simply does not make sense, and even at a technical level.
Operational-tactical missile and TPK with rockets
Curious information about the American MLRS on December 5 was revealed by The Wall Street Journal. Citing unnamed representatives of the US Department of Defense, it claims that before being sent to Ukraine, the HIMARS systems were secretly undergoing special refinement. By changing the software and hardware, they were deprived of the possibility of using long-range weapons in the form of ATACMS missiles.
Thus, the United States is not going to transfer the desired weapons to Ukraine, and attempts to obtain them through third countries will not give the desired result. Regardless of the delivery path for ATACMS products, existing launchers will not be able to use them.
Edition WSJ tried to clarify the information received from officials. However, representatives of the Pentagon, the White House and the Ukrainian side simply declined to comment. In particular, the Department of Defense cited security issues and the general sensitivity of the topic.
Improvement methods
According to the WSJ, the hardware and software of the transmitted HIMARS were being finalized. However, no technical details are given. However, one can imagine exactly how a serial American-style MLRS can be modified to reduce its combat potential.
Apparently, the improvements did not affect the launcher of the combat vehicle. GMLRS and ATACMS missiles are delivered in unified TPKs of the same size with standard connectors. It is likely that the launcher cannot be rebuilt so that it is incompatible with operational-tactical missiles, but still able to use rockets.
At the same time, similar results can be obtained by hardware and/or software modification of the standard fire control system. Perhaps the M142 lost some of the instruments or blocks necessary to turn the MLRS into an OTRK. However, the modern OMS is based on computers, and it is not clear how exactly it can be improved by replacing or removing hardware components.
The most likely is the completion of the MLRS due to changes in the software. In this case, the SLA lost the software modules responsible for the use of long-range missiles in general or solving related tasks. So, a modified fire control system may “not recognize” the ATACMS missile and refuse to work with it. They could remove the algorithms for calculating data for firing at long ranges, or introduce restrictions on the software responsible for entering information into missiles.
Regardless of the specific ways of refinement, there are a number of other important issues. So, I would like to know if the changes made are reversible. If the SLA can be returned to its original state, then the question arises how complicated this procedure is and how it can be carried out. It cannot be ruled out that the modified MLRS can get back all the regular functions in the shortest possible time, incl. and the possibility of using any compatible ammunition.
Launching an ATACMS product from an M270 installation
hidden targets
The United States not only refuses to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, but also takes real measures to exclude the use of such weapons. Of great interest is not only the very fact of such improvements, but also the prerequisites for them. You can easily notice several characteristic factors that fit into the logic and strategy of the United States.
In general, the modification of HIMARS systems indicates that the United States wants to completely exclude the use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine. She is denied the supply of such weapons, but the Kiev regime, in theory, can get them through third countries. However, modified launchers will not be able to use any missiles, regardless of their origin and delivery routes.
From all this it follows that the United States does not trust all its partners in military-technical cooperation. Thus, various types of ATACMS products were delivered to eight countries in Europe and Asia, and four more states are awaiting the shipment of such weapons. It is likely that the US authorities suspect that some third countries that have previously bought missiles for their own needs are able to ship them to Ukraine for their own benefit.
In such a case, the benefit of the foreign supplier conflicts with US policy and plans. The transfer of such weapons creates additional risks of escalation and a natural response from the Russian side. They decided to prevent all these threats by refining serial MLRS and reducing their capabilities.
One of the first episodes of the use of "Ukrainian" M142
Characteristically, even with the reduced capabilities of the M142 HIMARS system in service with Ukrainian formations, it is quite consistent with US policy. The American leadership wants to see a long war in the Donbass and Ukraine to deplete Russian resources, and the modified M142s with GMLRS missiles are quite suitable for such a task. In turn, operational-tactical missiles will change this environment, and the result of this may not be in line with US plans.
Probably, the American side also has a backup plan in case of a negative development of events for it. It cannot be ruled out that software changes to the SLA can be quickly rolled back and the M142 can be returned to all its original capabilities. Also, the United States is able to ship the indicated number of operational-tactical missiles in the shortest possible time. As a result of such measures, the Kiev regime will receive a more powerful and long-range strike system. At the same time, it is the US authorities who will decide when HIMARS in Ukraine will be able to use ATACMS - and if they can at all.
Your interest
Throughout the current year, the United States provided Ukraine with active military-technical assistance and supplied a variety of weapons and equipment. The Kiev regime expresses certain wishes, but the American authorities independently draw up plans for assistance, taking into account their capabilities and political interests. The needs of the recipients of such assistance fade into the background.
Recent ones news on the supply of MLRS M142 HIMARS and the finalization of equipment before shipment are of particular interest. It turned out that in order to fulfill existing plans and achieve their own goals, the United States is ready to literally spoil modern technology and reduce its potential. With such information, now it cannot be ruled out that not only HIMARS products, but also other samples that have already been transferred or are just being prepared for shipment to Ukraine were subjected to such modifications.
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