US HIMARS missile system launches new high-precision ER GMLRS munition for the first time at a range of 150 km
Lockheed Martin is close to completing work on the Extended Ranger (ER) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) precision-guided missile. The company reported a successful test of the ammunition.
The GMLRS is a family of 227 mm caliber guided missiles. They are used in the M142 HIMARS highly mobile artillery missile system and the M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket system (and their modifications).
A conventional GMLRS has a maximum launch range of approximately 80 km. The ER version can hit targets within a radius of 150 km. HIMARS and MLRS can fire a volley of 6 and 12 rounds, respectively, although the caliber has increased to 254 mm.
In March 2021, Lockheed Martin conducted the first test of the ER GMLRS, when the projectile flew 80 km. At the end of last year, a test run of 59 km was carried out. In a recent test, the M142 HIMARS system was able to launch the ER GMLRS to a maximum range of 150 km, which is almost twice the range of the GMLRS.
