The Army has some pretty cool weapon systems. One of those weapons systems is the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
Here are a few quick things you should know about the MLRS.
- Acronym stands for the Multiple Launch Rocket System
- Introduced to Army in 1983
- Production ended in 2003
- It can fire guided and unguided projectiles up to 26 miles
- Using the Army Tactical Missle System (ATACMS), it can shoot up to 190 miles
- Designed by the Vought Corporation and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and several other companies
- It can shoot 12 rounds of rockets in less than 40 seconds
- It has a crew of three people
- It weighs more than 55,000 pounds
- Most impressively, one launcher with 12 rockets can pretty much wipe out square kilometer
Click on the link for more information about the MLRS.
This is one of the weapon systems that I never got to shoot, but definitely would have enjoyed it. I believe I saw a MLRS shoot during one of my many NTC Rotations, but I could be wrong.
I know that the MLRS was used extensively in the 1991 Persian Gulf Invasion and I believe it was also used in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I’ve embedded two YouTube videos of live fires. The firepower is very impressive. You definitely wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of this beast.
If you have any experience with the MLRS, I would love to hear from you. If possible, I would love to know what it was like to fire the rockets, how loud it was, and any other information you can share about your experience. Just leave a comment to share your thoughts.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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The MLRS is a very good weapon. I wonder why they halted production in 2003. Does anyone have an answer to that?
It seems a great weapon, As Rachel said, it brings many soldiers away from those front lines.
I wonder if companies are developing similar, but even more sophisticated weapon systems. It just seems that when you get a weapon that works well, you would use it for all it is worth.
Twelve rounds of rockets in forty seconds?! That’s some incredible fire power! The Army really does have some serious fire power. The fact that this can be launched from such a considerable distance really removes the soldier from the immediate front-line of combat. But I suppose it also means if the enemy has similar fire power we need to have a way of detecting incoming fire from a weapon as sizable as this one.
Gotta love the MLRS!
The MLRS is amazing. I can’t believe how much firepower these things have. Does the Army still use these weapons systems, Chuck?
To the best of my knowledge, the MLRS is still used in the Army.