Hot summer for occupiers: the first M142 HIMARS systems are already in Ukraine

The first M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers are now used at the front by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was announced by Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. He thanked US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III for handing over the systems and promised a hot summer for the Russian occupiers.

“Thank you to my American colleague and friend Lloyd J. Austin III for these powerful tools! Summer will be hot for Russian occupiers. And the last one for some of them”, wrote Reznikov.

At this time, for obvious reasons, it is unknown how many and on which sections of the front of the US MLRS will be used, but we hope to see the first results of their work as soon as possible.

We remind you that M142 HIMARS has one universal unit for 6 unguided/guided missiles of 227 mm caliber each (or for one MGM-140 ATACMS with a diameter of 610 mm). The missiles are in unified transport and launch containers, which are convenient to store, transport, and recharge. HIMARS can make 18 shots per minute. The use of a wheeled chassis, rapid deployment, and stow of the complex, digital fire control allow M142 HIMARS to use the tactics of “hit-and-run”.

Specifications M142 HIMARS:

Weight – 16.25 t
Length – 7 m
Width – 2.4 m
Height – 3.2 m
Crew – 3
Caliber – 227 mm
Number of missiles – 6×227 mm, or 1×MGM-140 ATACMS
Firing rate – 18 shots/min
Effective firing rate –32-70 km (missiles caliber 227 mm), up to 300 km (MGM-140 ATACMS), up to 499 km (Precision Strike Missile)
Range of movement – 480 km
Maximum speed – 85 km/h