LM MLRS has point target capability

DALLAS, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. company Lockheed Martin says its Multiple Launch Rocket System has point target capability in urban environments.

"Guided Unitary MLRS -- Multiple Launch Rocket System -- is the newest variant which leverages the Guided MLRS -- GMLRS -- experience and investment to integrate a unitary warhead with a multi-mode fuze to expand the MLRS target set to include point targets within urban and complex environments. In January 2005, the U.S. Army issued an Urgent Need Statement for acceleration of GMLRS Unitary deliveries in support of counter fire operations," Lockheed Martin said.

Lockheed Martin said it "delivered the first 72 GMLRS Unitary rockets in June 2005 satisfying the requirements of the Urgent Need Statement. The first 900-plus rockets were delivered to the United States in 2005 and 2006."

"In theater, the GMLRS Unitary rocket has earned the nickname 'the 70-kilometer Sniper Rifle,' and continues to live up to that reputation mission after mission," said Lt. Col. Mark Pincoski, U.S. Army product manager, Precision Guided Missiles and Rockets. "Guided Unitary has reshaped the way indirect fires are applied throughout the battlefield thanks to its 24-hour, all-weather availability and pinpoint accuracy."

"The successes of these systems speak for themselves," said Rick Edwards, vice president of tactical missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "HIMARS and GMLRS, coupled with a world-class logistics footprint, are becoming ubiquitous to the urban and counter insurgency fight whenever surgical precision is needed."

"GMLRS is an all-weather, precision strike, artillery rocket system that achieves greater range and precision accuracy requiring fewer rockets to defeat targets, thereby reducing the number of rockets necessary to defeat current targets as well as limiting collateral damage. GMLRS is a Future Force system that provides the joint war fighter with immediate, precision fires to engage, destroy and deny terrain to the enemy," Lockheed Martin said.

Lockheed Martin said GMLRS was "effective against counter fire, air defense, light materiel and personnel targets. GMLRS incorporates a Global Positioning System-aided inertial guidance package integrated on a product improved rocket body. Additionally, small canards on the Guided Rocket nose add basic maneuverability to further enhance the accuracy of the system."