Australia shows a very rare video of the launch of the MGM-140 ATACMS tactical ballistic missile
The Australian Ministry of Defense has published a video showing footage of the launch of the MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missile. The launch was carried out during the Talisman Sabre 2023 exercise, in which the US and Australian armed forces are participating.
ATACMS is an operational and tactical level ballistic missile for the M142 HIMARS highly mobile artillery missile system and the M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket system. It has a range of 160-300 km. The launches took place at a military training ground where American and Australian soldiers gathered.
For the first time on Australian soil, a US MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile system was fired during Exercise #TalismanSabre2023. pic.twitter.com/zPiTNAlG0n
– Australian Army (@AustralianArmy) August 3, 2023
The top speed of the ATACMS is almost 3700 km/h, and the starting weight can vary from 1600 kg to 2300 kg depending on the configuration. The missile has a GPS and inertial navigation system to ensure optimal accuracy. Moreover, the munition is capable of correcting the trajectory during flight in real time.
ATACMS combines high accuracy with long range and is a difficult target to intercept. This makes the ballistic missile desirable for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which have both the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS.
However, the United States is in no hurry to transfer the MGM-140 to Ukraine. Washington limits itself to GMLRS precision-guided munitions and the announcement of GLSDB deliveries with a maximum range of 80 km and 150 km, respectively. The last shells are expected to arrive in Ukraine by the end of 2023.
