Could of sworn there was an existing thread on this topic, but it appears to have been either deleted or moved. If the later, then I apologize and feel free to move this post over to the appropriate forum.



Guided MLRS Unitary Rocket Concludes Phase II Tests

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued April 25, 2007)

DALLAS, TX --- Lockheed Martin recently conducted several successful flight tests of a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary Phase II rocket at White Sands Missile Range, NM, concluding the second phase of the Production Qualification Testing (PQT) requirement series for the contract.

Test objectives included demonstration of the GMLRS Unitary rockets in the point-impact and proximity modes at short, medium and long ranges against tactically representative targets. Completed test missions filled requirements for both the Engineering Development Test (EDT) and PQT series.

“The GMLRS program continues to be one of success,” said Lt. Col. Mark Pincoski, U.S. Army Precision Guided Munitions and Rockets Product Manager. “A little over one year ago, GMLRS entered full-rate production. The Urgent Material Request Unitary rocket has been used in theater since September of 2005, and has become the weapon of choice for troops in contact due to its effectiveness and accuracy.”

Guided MLRS Unitary integrates a 200-pound unitary warhead into the GMLRS rocket, giving battlefield commanders the ability to attack targets up to 70 kilometers away with extremely high precision. This low-cost, low-risk program has helped to greatly reduce collateral damage by providing enhanced accuracy to ensure delivery of the warhead to the target.

Lt. Col. Pincoski continued, “With our successful completion of Phase 2 EDT and PQT, we can now proceed to a Milestone C decision for the Objective Unitary rocket. The results of these tests have demonstrated the maturity of the technology involved and its readiness to proceed into initial production. The incorporation of trajectory shaping software and a Tri-Mode fuze into the objective rocket will make it the most effective indirect weapon system in the Army’s arsenal.”

Improvements to the current fielded system contained in the Phase II variant included software upgrades, new trajectory shaping modes and the tri-mode fuze capability. The multiple fuze modes include an airburst mode, which detonates above the target point; a point detonate mode, which impacts at the target point; and a delay mode, which impacts below the target point. The diversification of fuze mode options allows the system to be effective against multiple target sets while maintaining low collateral damage.

Seventeen successful Guided MLRS Unitary test missions, involving a total of 30 rockets, were completed in 2006.

GMLRS is an all-weather, precision-guided rocket that provides increased accuracy thus reducing the number of rockets necessary to defeat current targets by 80 percent. The GMLRS rocket provides increased precision and maneuverability, and can be fired from the MLRS M270A1 and the HIMARS launchers.

Lockheed Wins $125M for Guided MLRS Munitions

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued May 14, 2007)

Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded on May 8, 2007, a $124,981,841 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for the guided multiple launch rocket system; dual purpose improved conventional munitions, and unitary GMLRS rockets.

Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas (20.8 percent), East Camden, Ark. (76.8 percent), and Orlando, Fla. (2.4 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2008.Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on Nov. 9, 2006.

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-07-C-0001).

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GMLRS Program Receives Certification and U.S. Army Production Order

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued June 21, 2007)

DALLAS --- The Department of Defense has officially advanced Lockheed Martin's Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) - Unitary into low-rate production. Additionally, the U.S. Army awarded the company a $125 million contract for production of GMLRS rockets.

"Throughout the process to achieve these milestones, the highest levels in the Department of the Army, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff have recognized the outstanding success of the GMLRS program," said Lt. Col. Mark Pincoski, U.S. Army Product Manager, Precision Guided Missiles and Rockets. "I wish to express my gratitude to the entire GMLRS team, without whose hard work and expertise, these milestones may have never been achieved. The efforts of the team are particularly significant due to the urgent need for the GMLRS Unitary Rocket in combating our nation's foes, and the tremendous success it has demonstrated in combat."

"GMLRS continues to demonstrate the highest levels of reliability and effectiveness in support of our Soldiers," said Al Duchesne, director of Precision Guided Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The rapid pace of this program's development echoes our rapid success in this back-to-back set of program advances. The many positive comments we have received from Soldiers about GMLRS' battle-proven surgical strike capability inspires our team to maintain its high level of performance in support of the Warfighter."

GMLRS is an all-weather, precision-guided rocket that provides increased accuracy, thus reducing the number of rockets necessary to defeat current targets by 80 percent. The GMLRS rocket provides increased precision and maneuverability, and can be fired from the MLRS M270A1 and the HIMARS launchers.

Guided MLRS Unitary integrates a 200-pound class unitary warhead into the GMLRS rocket, giving battlefield commanders the ability to attack targets up to 70 kilometers away with high precision. This low-cost, low-risk program will greatly reduce collateral damage by providing enhanced accuracy to ensure delivery of the warhead to the target.

"We are very pleased that the Guided MLRS Unitary system is performing so well in Iraq," continued Pincoski. "The GMLRS system represents the state of the art in U.S. Field Artillery precision strike capability, and everyone on the GMLRS government and contractor team has worked very hard to put this system into the hands of our Soldiers. The world's best Soldiers deserve the world's best weapons and equipment, and GMLRS Unitary is the best Field Artillery weapon system we have ever fielded. We remain focused on the needs of our Soldiers and are committed to providing them the best in rocket and missile fire support systems."

Guided Unitary MLRS is the newest variant which leverages the Guided MLRS experience and investment to integrate a unitary warhead with a multi-mode fuze to expand the MLRS target set to include point targets within urban and complex environments. In January 2005, the U.S. Army issued an Urgent Need Statement for acceleration of Guided Unitary deliveries in support of counter fire operations. Lockheed Martin delivered the first 72 GMLRS Unitary rockets in June 2005, satisfying the requirements of the Urgent Need Statement. A total of 486 GMLRS Unitary rockets have been delivered to satisfy this requirement.

Improvements to the current fielded system contained in the just completed Phase II variant included software upgrades, new trajectory shaping modes and tri-mode fuze capability. The multiple fuze modes include an airburst mode, which detonates above the target point, a point detonate mode which impacts at the target point and a delay mode which impacts below the target point. The diversification of fuze mode options allows the system to be effective against multiple targets while maintaining low collateral damage.

The M270A1 will not be replaced by the HIMARS am I right? I would hope not since the M270A1 can carry 12 MLRS rockets or 2 ATTACKEMS while the HIMARS can only carry 6 MLRS rockets or 1 ATTACKEMS.

I have seen these up close and personal. I have requested for them several times in theater and gotten them. I was 65 meters from the first one when it impacted and 55 meters from the second. Its an awesome experience, the BDA assesment was even better. Our BN fired over 30 in a one month period, most of them during a BDE operation back in June. Great weapon system. Extremely accurate, delivers a great punch. Biggest drawback is clearing airspace.

HIMARS Fires 4 GMLRS Rockets in Test

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued May 28, 2008)

DALLAS, TX. --- Lockheed Martin launched the first Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) wheeled vehicle launcher using the new Universal Fire Control System (UFCS) during a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Four GMLRS rockets flew a pre-planned trajectory and successfully engaged their targets.

The UFCS is an evolutionary block upgrade of the MLRS Fire Control System that provides Warfighters the capability to fire GMLRS munitions that incorporate anti-jamming technology. The upgrade enhances reliability, mitigates obsolescence and reduces the sustainment cost of current systems.

"The UFCS is now a demonstrated, cost-effective solution that will improve the reliability and extend the life of the MLRS family of rockets and launchers," said Jim Gribschaw, director of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "This new capability will enable more Warfighters to have the dependable, long-range precision of the GMLRS at their command."

Deliveries of UFCS, which recently completed its Development and Qualification Program, have commenced under the HIMARS Full-Rate Production program. In March, Lockheed Martin also launched an ATACMS missile from a HIMARS equipped with UFCS.

GMLRS is an all-weather, precision strike, artillery rocket system that achieves greater range and precision accuracy requiring fewer rockets to defeat targets, thereby reducing the number of rockets necessary to defeat current targets as well as limiting collateral damage. GMLRS is a Future Force system that provides the joint Warfighter with immediate, precision fires to engage, destroy and deny terrain to the enemy.

GMLRS is effective against counter fire, air defense, light materiel and personnel targets. GMLRS incorporates a Global Positioning System-aided inertial guidance package integrated on a product improved rocket body. Additionally, small canards on the Guided Rocket nose add basic maneuverability to further enhance the accuracy of the system.

HIMARS can accommodate the entire family of MLRS munitions, including all variants of the GMLRS rocket and ATACMS missiles. Designed to enable troops to engage and defeat artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations, HIMARS can move away from the area at high speed following missile launch, well before enemy forces are able to locate the launch site.

Because of its C-130 transportability, HIMARS can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to heavier launchers and provides a force multiplier to the modular brigade. It also incorporates the self-loading, autonomous features that have made MLRS the premier rocket artillery system in the world. HIMARS carries a single six-pack of MLRS rockets, or one ATACMS missile. HIMARS is currently employed in support of the Global War on Terrorism.