Future Artillery 2025: UK to receive first upgraded M270 MLRS this year

At least 61 British Army M270 MLRSs are being upgraded, with the possibility of 18 more. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The United Kingdom will receive its first upgraded M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) in 2025, Janes learnt at the Future Artillery 2025 conference held in London from 20 to 22 May. The first system will be delivered in the United States, where the upgrade is taking place and the British Army trains on MLRS.

Work on the upgrade includes installation of improved armoured cabs, as well as upgraded automotive and launch mechanism components, at the US Army's Red River Army Depot in Texas and Lockheed Martin's facility in Camden, Arkansas.

The British Army expected the upgrades to ensure that its land deep fires capability remains strong until 2050 and that the service has the technological capability to quickly meet current and future threats.

The updated launchers will be able to fire the US Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which has a range of 499 km.

Military and industry sources told Janes on 22 May that the number of M270s upgraded had been increased from the initially planned 44 to 61 since the project was launched. The UK Ministry of Defence is considering the upgrade of a further 18 M270s.

For more information, please seeLockheed Martin UK offers up Ampthill site for UK M270 MLRS upgrade .