Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Germany’s Rheinmetall
have teamed to offer Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS), which brings together the former’s rocket launching capability mounted on the latter’s HX tactical truck.
The two firms are showcasing GMARS at this week’s Eurosatory trade show in Paris, Europe’s largest defense industry exhibition, eyeing potential international interest in what they have described as a “highly mobile, all-weather, 24/7 missile artillery system.”
“Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin joined forces in 2023 to combine their individual strengths and developed a GMARS as a solution for the growing demand for long-range rocket artillery,” Rheinmetall wrote in a statement.
The companies said GMARS is capable of firing Lockheed Martin’s GMLRS and Extended Range GMLRS rockets, ATACMS missiles and the new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which has been developed for the U.S. Army and is capable of ranges above 400 kilometers.
Future munitions that could be fired from GMARS also include surface-launched cruise missiles and 122mm rockets, Rheinmetall noted.
“The GMARS 2-pod launcher can fire the entire [Multiple Launch Rocket System] (MLRS) ammunition family. This makes GMARS compatible with all Lockheed Martin MLRS missiles in use with NATO forces,” Rheinmetall said in a statement. “The inertial, GPS-supported navigation system of the GMARS enables precise fire support at short and long ranges – depending on the ammunition, already today at ranges of over 400 kilometers. Continuous further development of the missiles will enable this effective range to be increased even further in the future.”
Rheinmetall noted GMARS shares a “high degree of component commonality” with Lockheed Martin’s M270 and HIMARS rocket launchers.
“This facilitates training and logistics and is also advantageous for interoperability with NATO forces using MLRS and HIMARS. The future-orientated design offers a high degree of flexibility for multi-domain operations,” Rheinmetall said on Monday.
On its mobility capability, Rheinmetall said GMARS can reach a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour at ranges of up to 700 kilometers.
“With a width of 2.5 meters, a height of 3.9 meters and a length of 9.8 meters, it is mobile on all common roads, but also in rail transport without restrictions,” Rheinmetall said. “In addition to the fact that GMARS does not need to be supported when firing, its high mobility contributes to its high shoot & scoot capability.”