Lockheed Martin [LMT] successfully launched an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Unitary missile from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher equipped with a Universal Fire Control System (UFCS) during a flight test March 20 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
The missile flew the planned trajectory and hit the target at a range of approximately 75 km.
This was the second Follow-on Production Test of the new ATACMS Unitary configuration that allows warfighters to use the missile in a vertical attack trajectory, a new capability for urban environments where damage to areas around the target is not desired. It also was the first firing of an ATACMS munition from a HIMARS launcher equipped with a UFCS.
The UFCS is an evolutionary block upgrade and technology refresh of the MLRS Fire Control System. UFCS recently completed its Development and Qualification Program, and is now being delivered under the HIMARS full-rate production program.
“ATACMS is the weapon of choice against time-sensitive and pre-planned targets for U.S. Forces in the Global War on Terror,” Jim Gribschaw, director of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said. “The successful flight test of this ATACMS Unitary configuration further validates that the system will continue to be an asset to our warfighters in the future.”
The flight test provided technical data to support the quality of the ATACMS improved Unitary configuration production, the company said. It also demonstrated the missile-to- launcher interface of the new UFCS, missile performance and accuracy from launch to impact, as well as the performance of the whole system software.
ATACMS is a long-range guided missile that gives operational commanders immediate firepower to win the deep battle. Each ATACMS missile is packaged in a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launch pod and is fired from the MLRS Family of Launchers. ATACMS is successfully employed in both urban and non-urban environments.