MGM-140 ATACMS

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Block II Missile is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The missile has a range of 128 km and is a surface-to-surface missile (SSM). The Block I missile contained 950 M74 submunitions. The Block IA missile contained 275 M74 submunitions, this reduction in payload resulted in a greater range. [ [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-140.html Lockheed Martin (LTV) MGM-140 ATACMS - Designation Systems] ] A new system, currently in development, has revamped the missile, with a 500lb warhead and new guidance systems that allow for a near vertical attack vector, allowing for greater use in mountainous or urban terrain. A recent test of this "Block 2" missile was shown on an episode of Future Weapons. The Block II ATACAMS missile can also carry a payload of 13 BAT (Brilliant Anti-Tank) munitions.cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw9204.html|title=GBU-44/B Viper Strike and BAT (Brilliant Anti-Tank) (United States), AIR-TO-SURFACE MISSILES - DIRECT ATTACK]

The ATACMS can be fired from MLRS launchers, including the M270, M270 IPDS, M270A1, and HIMARS.A ATACMS launch container has a lid which has 6 circles pattern like an ordinarily MLRS rockets' lid for imitating 6 rockets.

The first use of the ATACMS in a combat capability was during Operation Desert Storm, a total of 32 missiles were fired from the M270 MLRS.

During the Operation Iraqi Freedom more than 450 missiles were fired. [PDF| [http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/12818.pdf Lockheed Martin - Army Tactical Missile System] |1.14 MiB ]

South Korean Army has also purchased 111 ATACMS Block I & 110 ATACMS Block IA.

References

ee also

* U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
* Lockheed Martin

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/atacms.htm/ M39 ATMS - Global Security]
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-140.html M39 Army Tactical Missile System (Army TACMS) - Designation Systems]