M142 HIMARS

The XM142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a C-130 transportable, highly mobile, rocket artillery system designed to meet the US Army requirements for ground highly transportable Objective Forces. It carries a single 6-pack of rockets or one ATACMS missile mounted on a FMTV five-ton truck. The HIMAS retains some of the characteristics of the proven M270 MLRS, while providing outstanding transportability and superior mobility over the MLRS. It retains self-loading and autonomous features as well as rockets and missiles launched from the M270 MLRS artillery system. A wheeled chassis means high mobility and less costs of ownership. The launcher saw combat for the first time during operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The US Army and the USMC want to procure up to 900 HIMARS systems all together beginning in 2005. In June 2005, the US Army's 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, XVIII Airborne Corps, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, became the first HIMARS-equipped unit. On January 3, 2005, Lockheed-Martin received the third follow-on low rate initial procurement (LRIP) contract valued at $109 million. Under the terms of the contract the US Army will buy 37 HIMARS launchers and the US Marine Corps one launcher. In December 2005 the US Army awarded Lockheed Martin the first full rate production contract. In March 2006 Lockheed Martin received a $51.6 million contract modification for delivery of 18 HIMARS to the US Marine Corps. In 2011 the US Army's HIMARS program was scaled down from 425 to 381 units.

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