High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars)

Context

The US President recently said that the US will send advanced missile systems to Ukraine. 

What system will the US provide?

• The new weapon is the Himars multiple launch rocket system, or MLRS: a mobile unit that can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles.
• The M142 Himars system (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a modernised, lighter and more agile wheel-mounted version of the track-mounted M270 MLRS developed in the 1970s for US and allied forces.
• The US military already has Himars units in Europe; and Nato allies Poland and Romania have acquired the systems.
• The new weapon is the Himars multiple launch rocket system, or MLRS: a mobile unit that can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles.
• Both Ukraine and Russia already operate MLRS, but Himars has superior range and precision.
• Himars units carry one preloaded pod of six 227mm guided missiles (the M270 carries two pods), or one large pod loaded with an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) tactical missile. 
• The US will not supply Ukraine with the ATACMS, which has a range of 300km.
• The Himars that Washington is providing to Ukraine will have a range of about 50 miles (80km).

Specification

• With a small crew, the Himars can remove a spent pod and load a fresh one in minutes, without other vehicles helping. The crews will require some training.

Advantages for Ukraine

• Himars will give Ukraine’s forces the ability to strike further behind Russian lines, and at distances better protected from Russia’s own long-range weaponry.
• The GPS-guided missiles the Himars shoot have a range about double that of the M777 howitzers that the US recently supplied to Ukraine forces.
• At roughly 80km it generally puts Himars out of range of Russia’s own artillery, while placing the Russian batteries at risk.
• It also could threaten Russian supply depots, amid western belief that the Russian forces suffer logistical problems.
• Himars can be a “game-changer” in the war at a time when Ukraine forces appear to be struggling under Russian artillery fire.
• Both Ukraine and Russia already operate MLRS, but Himars has superior range and precision.