M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System

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Image:M270 MLRS 058 07.jpg Image:Army mlrs 1982 02.jpg The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (or M270 MLRS) is the United States Army's multiple rocket launcher, a type of rocket artillery. It is capable of firing guided and unguided projectiles to a distance of up to 42km (26.1 miles). Firing the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) it is capable of reaching out to 300km (186 miles) with the projectile reaching a maximal altitude of ~50 km (~164,041 ft.).

MLRS was developed jointly by the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and France. It was developed from the older General Support Rocket System (GSRS).

The rockets and ATACMS missiles are contained in interchangeable pods. Each pod contains six unguided rockets or one guided ATACMS missile, the two types cannot be mixed. The launcher can hold two pods at a time, which it loads using an integrated crane. All twelve rockets or two ATACMS missiles can be fired in under a minute. One launcher firing twelve rockets can completely blanket one square kilometer with submunitions. The US Army is currently working on developing and fielding unitary (one large warhead instead of submunitions) rocket and ATACMS variants, as well as a guided rocket.

The M270 is in service with the United States, the British Army, Bahrain, Denmark, France, the Bundeswehr, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Norway (no longer in active duty, no personnel trained or ammunition purchased), and Turkey. In addition, Finland has recently purchased used Dutch launchers, but they have not entered service yet.

When first deployed, the MLRS was used in a composite battalion consisting of 2 batteries of traditional artillery (howitzers) and one battery of MLRS SPLLs (self-propelled loader/launchers). The first operational organic or "all MLRS" battalion started training in the winter of 1985. Alpha Battery, 4/27th FA (MLRS) was deployed en mass to Peden Barracks at Wertheim, West Germany in April of that year. "Sudden Impact" as it was known by its members fired its first rounds in theater and was considered operational in June of that year. Two other firing batteries soon joined.

The 4/27th FA (MLRS) was deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield on Christmas Day 1990.

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