In the coming months, the British Army plans on upgrading its multi-launch ground-to-ground rocket system M270A2 in the coming months.
The upgrade will see Lockheed Martin providing newer engines, improved armored cabins, a common fire control system, enhanced transmissions and a modernized system components; the modernization will cost Britain approximately $224 million.
According to the terms of the contract, Lockheed Martin will have to complete all works on upgrading the M270 MLRS by the second quarter of 2026.
The Royal Artillery has a total of 42 units of the M270 MLRS, which has already been upgraded from M270B1 to M270A1.
Upgrades to the M270A2 level will be carried out by Lockheed Martin at it’s facilities in Arizona and Texas.
About the M270 MLRS
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is a US armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher. Around 20 countries use the M270 MLRS. Its production was stopped in 2003 and since then it has been discontinued.
Lockheed Martin designed the M270 MLRS in 1977. Diehl BGT Defense and Aérospatiale also manufactured it in Europe. The M270 MLRS was used in the Gulf Wars, the US invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. Ukraine has claimed to have used it against Russia.
The M270 MLRS can fire 18 rockets in a minute. Depending on the modification of the projectile, its operational range varies from 32 to 70 km. The M270 MLRS can multiply the maximum range of damage at least three times if it uses the ATACMS surface-to-surface missile (SSM). When deployed with Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PsM) its range jumps up to 499 km.
The M270 MLRS is powered by a 500hp Commins diesel engine and has a maximum distance of 480 km. It can travel at a maximum speed of 39.8 mph (64 kmph).
