A $451 million contract was given to Lockheed Martin by the U.S. Army to recapitalize more M270 systems, increasing the company’s domestic launcher fleet and upgrading its partnerships with other countries.
The award comes after two previous contracts that called for recapitalization to sustain mission readiness until 2050 and an initial agreement that was granted in 2019.
According to Jay Price, vice president of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin, “the modernization effort will add additional capability to the combat-proven launcher and ensure the M270-series launcher remains highly effective, reliable, and interoperable with NATO forces for decades to come.” “Our international partners will benefit from increased precision fire capability thanks to this procurement.”
The Recapitalization entails a whole overhaul and system upgrades, including new engines, better armoured cabins, and the Common Fire Control System (CFCS), which will ensure compatibility with the MLRS Family of Munitions (MFOM) both now and in the future. Only M270A2 and HIMARS launchers are capable of firing Lockheed Martin’s next-generation Extended-Range GMLRS and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).
MLRS is a large tracked mobile launcher that launches Army Tactical Missile System missiles and Guided MLRS rockets. It is transportable by C-17 and C-5 aircraft. The Precision Strike Missile and Extended-Range GMLRS rockets, which are presently under development, will also be fired by MLRS.
