Rheinmetall, Lockheed Martin fire GMARS for first time
Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin fired GMARS for the first time on 30 July. (US Army)
Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin announced in a press release on 4 August that they had fired the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS) for the first time at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, demonstrating its ability to launch Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Janes on 6 August that the demonstration took place on 30 July and that two GMLRS Unitary Warhead rockets, which have a range of 15–70+ km, were fired mid-range.
The companies described the live-fire demonstration as “a significant milestone in the GMARS development programme, which aims to provide military customers with a European-built highly mobile, survivable, and versatile long-range precision fires capability”. They noted that GMLRS munitions are used by Germany and other allies around the world, increasing interoperability and supporting joint operations.
Mounted on a Rheinmetall HX 8×8 vehicle, the GMARS launcher can be armed with two Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), four Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), 12 GMLRS Standard Range or 12 Extended-Range (ER) GMLRS munitions. ER GMLRS has a range of 150 km, ATACMS a range of 300 km, and PrSM a range of 400+ km. Future munition options include ground-launched cruise missiles with a range of 370+ km and 122 mm rockets with a range of 22 km.
Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin said the GMARS launcher offers a high degree of interoperability and interchangeability with M270A2 and High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, which the companies consider ideal for armed forces operating in Europe.
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