Lockheed Martin Corporation conducted another test of high-precision long-range ER GMLRS missile for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers.
The tests took place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This time, the ER GMLRS was launched specifically from HIMARS and hit targets at a distance of 59 km. It was a short-range test aimed at controlling the flight path, range and accuracy, lethality of the warhead, and integration with HIMARS.
In one of the preliminary tests in May 2021, the missile demonstrated a flight range of 135 km. In general, ER GMLRS should hit targets at a distance of up to 150 km. We remind that modern GMLRS M30A1 missiles hit targets at a range of 84 km.
Before launch, the rocket pod went through all Stockpile to Target Sequence (STS) procedures, that is, from the point of storage to the impact of the target.This effort simulates cumulative effects the ER GMLRS will meet in the field between factory and launch for the life of the system and demonstrates durability of the missile and launch pod container.
The full operational readiness of ER GMLRS missiles should be achieved only in 2025. But on Ukrainian Twitter, Lockheed Martin is already offering to transfer the tests to real conditions, to Ukraine.
To date, Lockheed Martin has already produced more than 60,000 GMLRS missiles and received a new contract for the production of more than 9,000 new GMLRS unitary missiles and missiles with an alternative warhead. This contract should replenish the stocks of missiles transferred to Ukraine and prepare for new deliveries.
We will remind, in addition to the ER GMLRS, the Lockheed Martin company conducts tests of PrSM missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 500 km. The first PrSMs will enter the army in 2023 and will eventually replace the ATACMS missiles.
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