MLRS M270
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| MLRS M270 | |
|---|---|
| Name | MLRS M270 |
| Caption | An M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System firing during a training exercise. |
| Type | Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher |
| Origin | United States |
| Service | 1983–present |
| Used by | See #Operators |
| Designer | Vought (now L3Harris Technologies) |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Unit cost | $2.3 million (M270A1, FY2021) |
| Production date | 1980–2003, 2018–present |
| Number | ~1,300 |
| Variants | See #Variants |
| Weight | 55,000 lb (25,000 kg) combat loaded |
| Length | 22 ft 6 in (6.86 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) |
| Height | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Armour | Aluminium, protects against small arms and shell fragments |
| Primary armament | 2× six-tube rocket pods or 2× MGM-140 ATACMS missiles |
| Engine | Cummins VTA-903T 8-cylinder diesel |
| Engine power | 500 hp (370 kW) |
| Pw ratio | 18.2 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | General Dynamics HMPT-500-3EC hydro-mechanical |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
| Vehicle range | 300 mi (480 km) |
| Speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
MLRS M270. The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is a highly mobile, armored, self-propelled artillery rocket launcher developed in the United States during the Cold War. Entering service with the United States Army in 1983, it was designed to deliver massive and rapid saturation fire against area targets such as troop concentrations, armored columns, and command posts. The system's versatility, later enhanced by its ability to fire precision-guided munitions like the MGM-140 ATACMS, has made it a cornerstone of Western artillery doctrine and a key asset for NATO and allied forces.
Development and design
The program originated from a United States Army requirement in the 1970s to counter the numerical superiority of Warsaw Pact forces in Europe, particularly the threat posed by Soviet artillery systems like the BM-27 Uragan. A consortium led by Vought (later part of L3Harris Technologies) won the development contract, with the vehicle chassis based on the M993 Bradley derivative. Key design features included a fully enclosed armored cab for crew protection, an integrated fire control system, and a unique self-loading mechanism using a hydraulically operated Launch Pod/Container (LPC) for rapid reloading. The system was standardized in 1982, with full-scale production undertaken by prime contractor Lockheed Martin at its facility in Camden, Arkansas.
Operational history
The M270 first saw combat during the Gulf War in 1991, where it was used extensively by the United States Army, the British Army (designated M270B1), and the French Army to devastating effect against Iraqi Armed Forces positions. Its performance earned it the nickname "Grid Square Removal Service" from coalition troops. It later saw action in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, providing critical fire support. In the Russo-Ukrainian War, systems supplied by the United Kingdom, Norway, and the United States have been employed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine with significant impact, notably against Russian logistics hubs and command centers. The system has also been deployed by other operators in conflicts including the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.
Variants
* M270: Original baseline model introduced in 1983. * M270 IPDS (Improved Position Determining System): Mid-life upgrade incorporating a Ring Laser Gyro-based navigation system. * M270A1: Major upgrade featuring an enhanced fire control system, improved Interim Armored Vehicle electronics, and the capability to fire the longer-range M30/M31 Guided MLRS rockets. This upgrade was part of a collaborative program with the British Army. * M270B1: Designation for British variants, which initially featured enhanced armor. * M270C1 (or M270A2): Latest modernization, also known as the "MLRS Life Extension Program," featuring a new Common Fire Control System, improved armor, and a more powerful engine. This variant is being produced by Lockheed Martin for the United States Army and the Polish Land Forces. * MARS II (Medium Artillery Rocket System): The designation for the German and Italian upgraded systems, comparable to the M270A1.
Operators
The M270 and its variants have been operated by numerous countries worldwide. Key operators include the United States Army, the British Army (as part of the Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade), the French Army, the German Army, the Italian Army, and the Turkish Land Forces. Other operators have included the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Egyptian Army, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, several nations, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway, and France, have donated systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Specifications
The M270 is based on a modified M993 Bradley tracked chassis, providing high mobility and crew protection. Its primary armament consists of two reusable Launch Pod/Containers, each holding six 227 mm rockets or one MGM-140 ATACMS missile. The standard M26 rocket has a range of approximately 32 kilometers, while modern guided rounds like the M31 GMLRS can strike targets over 70 kilometers away with high precision. The three-person crew operates from within the armored cab, with the vehicle capable of "shoot-and-scoot" tactics to avoid counter-battery fire. It is powered by a Cummins diesel engine and uses a General Dynamics hydro-mechanical transmission, achieving road speeds up to 64 km/h.
Category:Multiple rocket launchers Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1980s Category:Self-propelled artillery of the United States