Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall test fire GMARS long-range rocket artillery

The Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS) live-fired for the first time at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico | Photo: U.S. Army

U.S. arms company Lockheed Martin and European arms company Rheinmetall announced on Monday the successful test of ‘the first live fire of the GMARS (Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System) launcher at White Sand Missile Range in New Mexico, ‘demonstrating its capability to launch GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System)’ precision-guided tactical missile system rockets.

A statement from the two companies said ‘these are the same munitions used by the U.S. and allied nations across the globe, reinforcing interoperability and supporting joint operations.’

Paula Hartley, vice president and general manager of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin, was quoted as saying, “With this milestone accomplished, we are poised to rapidly qualify and bring this capability to market.”

Rheinmetall’s CEO of Vehicle Systems Europe, Dr. Björn Bernhard, said, “The successful live fire showcases the system’s precision and reliability, and we are confident that GMARS will meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

According to the statement, the GMARS program is intended to ‘provide a launcher built for NATO allies that maximises combat-proven HIMARS and M270 components,’ that can ‘launch current and future state-of-the-art long-range and extended-long-range rocket fire missions.’ The GMARS launcher is ‘based on the Rheinmetall HX vehicle series’ and ‘offers a high degree of interoperability and interchangeability with fielded M270A2 and HIMARS launchers.’

‘The launcher can be armed with an enhanced load-out of two ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) long-range, surface-to-surface missile system, 4 PrSM (Precision Strike Missiles), 12 GMLRS Standard Range or 12 Extended Range GMLRS missiles,’ said the companies, adding, ‘GMARS provides the same munition capacity as the M270 on a wheeled platform with opportunity to integrate allied nations’ platforms and munitions.’