MGM-140 ATACMS
Developed by the U.S. Army to be fired from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) or M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, the MGM-140 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) is a short to medium-range ballistic missile.[1] Carrying either a high explosive unitary warhead or dual-purpose cluster submunitions, it replaced the MGM-52 Lance, a missile assigned to corps level support with nuclear warheads. As Lance missiles reached the end of their storage lives, and precision-guided munitions superceded tactical nuclear weapons, a replacement was needed.
ATACMS is now in its fourth version. 32 of the "A" version were used in Operation DESERT STORM, as a long-range weapon, directly responsive to ground commanders, for attacking high-value targets such as missile sites and command posts, beyond the range of cannon artillery such as the M109 howitzer. This missile had 100mi/165km range with moderately precise inertial guidance; the guidance limitation essentially required the area effect of cluster submunitions.[2]
Precision considerably increased with the "B" model, which added GPS. With increased precision, the warhead size was reduced yet range was increased to 185mi/300km. This version went into service in 1998.
The "C" model, called ATACMS Block II, was redesignated as a long-range antitank weapon, carrying the Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) munition. The missile version was cancelled in 2003 as large-scale tank warfare became less likely, but the BAT is continuing as a hard-target weapon to be carried by unmanned aerial vehicles.
Most recently, the "D" model was a general upgrade of the "B", still carrying cluster submunitions at even greater range. With continued guidance improvements, and the political sensitivity of cluster munitions, the "E" model introduced a 500 lb high-explosive warhead. This is essentially the same WAU-23 warhead used on the AGM-84 SLAM air-to-surface missile.
A longer-range hard-target-penetrator variant has been in design, but production continues of the B/D and E models, both in service. They continue to be fired from the M270, which has two positions for weapons canisters. The sealed canisters contain either one ATACMS, or six of the shorter-ranged unguided M26 rockets, or guided M30 cluster submunition or XM31 unitary missiles.
References
- ↑ Andreas Parsch, Lockheed Martin (LTV) MGM-140 ATACMS
- ↑ The Army Tactical Missile System (Army TACMS) Family of Munitions (AFOM): Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP), Field Artillery School, U.S. Army, Special Text 6-60-30