Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to develop new GMARS European Multiple Launch Rocket System based on M142 HIMARS to replace MARS II

The US company Lockheed Martin and Germany's Rheinmetall will jointly develop a European multiple launch rocket system. The M142 high-mobility artillery system, better known as HIMARS, will form the basis of the system.

Here's What We Know

The system is called GMARS (G - Germany). It will have a wheeled chassis and will be a replacement for the MARS II multiple rocket launcher system (pictured below), which uses a Bradley tracked armoured vehicle as its chassis. The new development was announced by Howard Bromberg, vice president and deputy strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin's air and missile defence division.

Germany has delivered five MARS II systems to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which are the upgraded European equivalent of the M270 MLRS. The launcher consists of two containers, each holding up to six missiles depending on calibre.

The Bundeswehr has 34 MARS II systems remaining in service. This information was confirmed by a spokesperson for the German Armed Forces. At the same time, the press service did not go into details regarding the operational readiness of the missile systems.

The new development will have a Lockheed Martin launcher and Rheinmetall chassis. The GMARS will look like the HIMARS, but will have a larger chassis and two containers instead of one. The launcher will be mounted on a Rheinmetall HX 8x8 (pictured below), which will be built in Vienna. It will be approximately 12 meters long, which is 5 meters longer than the FMTV for the HIMARS.

Germany plans to sell GMARS to other European countries. The new missile systems are expected to be operational in as little as two years. Some components for GMARS will be imported from the United States. As for the projectiles, GMARS will be able to use about 80% of HIMARS ammunition.

Source: Defense News