Mgm140 Army Tactical Missile System

The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a conventional surface-to-surface missile system developed by the United States Army to provide deep-strike capabilities against high-priority targets. The system is designed to be launched from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and can engage targets at ranges of up to 300 kilometers. With its advanced guidance and propulsion systems, the ATACMS has become a crucial component of the US Army's precision strike capabilities.

Development and Operational History

The development of the ATACMS began in the 1980s, with the primary goal of creating a missile system that could engage deep-strike targets with high accuracy and lethality. The system was designed to be compatible with the MLRS, which provided a mobile and flexible launch platform. The first ATACMS missiles were delivered to the US Army in 1991, and the system has since undergone several upgrades and modernization programs to improve its performance and effectiveness. Today, the ATACMS is operated by the US Army, as well as several allied nations, including Bahrain, Finland, Greece, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey.

System Components and Capabilities

The ATACMS system consists of the missile, launch vehicle, and fire control system. The missile itself is 4.0 meters long and weighs approximately 1,700 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 230 kilograms. The system uses a combination of inertial guidance and GPS to achieve high accuracy, with a reported circular error probable (CEP) of less than 100 meters. The ATACMS can be armed with a variety of warheads, including high-explosive and penetration warheads, as well as cluster munitions. The system’s advanced propulsion system provides a high degree of maneuverability and range, allowing it to engage targets in complex terrain and urban environments.

Operational Employment and Tactics

The ATACMS is typically employed in a deep-strike role, engaging targets beyond the range of traditional artillery systems. The system’s high degree of accuracy and lethality makes it an effective tool for engaging high-priority targets, including command and control centers, logistics hubs, and air defense systems. The ATACMS can be used in a variety of operational contexts, including counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and conventional warfare. The system’s mobility and flexibility also make it an effective tool for rapid-response and expeditionary operations.

Training and Logistics

The US Army provides extensive training for ATACMS operators, including classroom instruction, simulator training, and live-fire exercises. The system’s logistics and maintenance requirements are relatively low, with a high degree of reliability and maintainability. The ATACMS is also supported by a comprehensive supply chain, with a wide range of spare parts and components available to support operational requirements.

Future Developments and Upgrades

The ATACMS system is currently undergoing several modernization programs, including the development of new warheads and guidance systems. The US Army is also exploring the use of advanced propulsion systems, including solid-state and hybrid propulsion systems, to improve the system’s range and maneuverability. Additionally, the ATACMS is being integrated with other precision strike systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and cruise missiles, to provide a comprehensive and networked precision strike capability.

International Cooperation and Export

The ATACMS has been exported to several allied nations, including Bahrain, Finland, Greece, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey. The system has also been used in several international exercises and operations, including the NATO-led intervention in Libya in 2011. The US Army is also working with international partners to develop new ATACMS variants, including a sea-launched version, to provide a comprehensive and integrated precision strike capability.