Thread by @AggregateOsint

The #UnitedStates is considering whether to send HIMARS to #Ukraine in its fight against #Russia. What is the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and could a deep strike precision guided munition tip the scales towards #Ukraine in the #UkraineRussiaWar?

HIMARS are capable of firing both rockets & missiles. The most common rocket is the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System M31A1 rocket (see below) that comes in pods of 6 rockets. These rockets can travel beyond 70km (reportedly 84km) to strike targets with an accuracy of 2m.

The M31A1 rockets have a 200 pound warhead with a variable fuse that can be used in different modes to engage different target sets. This include: point detonating (explodes when it hits), proximity fuse (explodes at 3m or 10m above ground) or delay (1m or 2m delay after impact).

The variable fuse allows the rocket to engage lightly armored targets with the point detonating setting, troops in trenches with the proximity fuse and heavily armored vehicles & fortified buildings and bunkers with the delay fuse. This allows engagement of almost all targets.

HIMARS are also capable of firing the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) (see below) munitions. These GPS guided munitions come w a single missile in one pod. They have a range of up to 310km and can strike targets with an accuracy of less than 10m. There are many variations.

These variations include warheads with 100's of Anti-Personnel Anti-Materiel (APAM) bomblets (AKA cluster bombs) & up to a 500lbs unitary warheads for large targets. The unitary warhead comes with point detonating & a delay fuse for targeting deeply buried and hardened targets.

Would this weapons system make a difference if provided to #Ukraine? It depends. 1st of all, these systems are far more complicated to operate than existing, area fire MLRS weapons that #Ukraine currently has. Trainers would need weeks to bring #UAF up to speed on the M142.

2nd, it would depend what type of rockets & in what #'s the #UnitedStates provided. The M31A1/ATACMS are highly capable and can engage a wide range of targets, however the M142 can also fire the less capable M26 variant, which is similar to existing #UAF MLRS w/o new capability.

3rd, the quantity of munitions and systems provided would be critical. If the #USA provides 1000's of rockets & missiles it could decimate #Russian troop formations, headquarters, armored vehicles and fortifications. If the number is in the hundreds the impact would be far less.

4th, how the #UkrainianArmedForces choses to employ the systems would be critical. If the #UAF uses them as a deep strike munition against Command & Control, supply/munition depots & large troops formations the result for #RUAF could be catastrophic loss of C2, supplies & troops.

If #UAF employs them too close to the frontlines, #Russia will obviously make them a priority target for their own artillery, drones and aircraft. The M142 is highly vulnerable to indirect fire as are the rocket and missile pods, which can not be damaged prior to use.

5th, and most importantly, is #Ukraine's ability to identify & accurately locate targets. The effective use of HIMARS is critically tied to the user's precision targeting capability. If #UAF can precisely locate the target, HIMARS firing GMLRS/ATACMS can destroy it.

So far, #Ukrainian artillery has demonstrated excellent targeting skills using drones & previous impacts to strike #RUAF w minimal adjustments. Time will tell if #UAF can translate this skillset into use with HIMARS & precision guided rockets against distant unobserved targets.

The impact of HIMARS depends on many factors. However, if #UAF receives thousands of M31A1 rockets and ATACMS missiles & can employ them effectively, it has the potential to disrupt #Russian troops across the frontlines, the rear areas in #Ukraine & possibly even in #Russia.

What impact do you think HIMARS/MLRS will make in the #UkraineRussianWar if the #UnitedStates provides it to #Ukraine? Let us know your thoughts!

Sources and more info:
asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-…
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-doubli…
lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products…
globalsecurity.org/military/syste…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM-140_A…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M270_Mult…
web.archive.org/web/2011102022…
web.archive.org/web/2016030321…