Thread by @TotherChris

⚙️ MLRS and the UK
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The Future Artillery Conference this week released new information on the UK's rocket artillery programmes as well as provided more information we can intuit from.

An M270, HIMARS and PULS thread 🧵
#artillery #M270 #PrSM #LPS

⚙️ As well as 155mm and 105mm artillery replacement programmes, both considered Close Support Fires, the UK has three funded Deep Fires programmes originating in work for Deep Fires Rocket System, Land Precision Strike and the Weapons Sector Research Framework.

⚙️ The first area delivering is re-engineering existing UK M270B1 chassis in three ways to "zero-hour" the fleet life and enable integration of future munitions.

🔴 Overhaul of all automotives
🔵 Entirely new, larger cab
🟢 Overhaul of launch system with new FCS

⚙️ This results in the M270A2 (right). The UK is increasing its numbers of M270's to 71 by following the US and topping up conversions from M270A0 vehicles in storage.

That's right, the UK is upping GMLRS to 71 and the good news is work is on track (!), on time and on budget.

⚙️ What we can intuit from this news is that the proposal of Lockheed Martin to introduce this work at their Ampthill UK facility hasn't been taken up.

This is a shame. Clearly WCSP cancellation has damaged LMUK's facilities and skills.

shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfa…

⚙️ This is a missed opportunity to repair damage to UK defence industry and to create a European M270/HIMARS hub. Italy, Spain and Greece had all expressed a preference for a European loc for upgrades, the UK being the most likely place outside of the US to have "full access".

⚙️ It is also no secret that the UK is in discussions to expand its MLRS fleet beyond 71 x M270A2. The most likely candidate being HIMARS.

If LMUK are not recapitalising M270A2, that means we can intuit the UK are talking to the US about purchasing under the FMS system.

⚙️ A wheeled MLRS system is ideal for the Army's Expeditionary / First Battle doctrine. Lockheed Martin are also looking at squeezing two M270 pods onto an FMTV and Rheinmetall are looking at putting the HIMARS frame (unclear if one or two pods) and FCS onto a MAN truck.

⚙️ No matter which MLRS you go for, however, it's the missiles that are the effect and quite simply M270/HIMARS are a closed architecture. No non-US missiles will be considered, and the US has other platforms for other missiles.

⚙️ As far as the M270/HIMARS eco-system goes, the UK is only really interested in the bottom two missiles: ER-GMLRS for a 150km range, and PrSM for an 499km range.

⚙️ But the UK is not just interested in these two missiles, just these two from the M270/HIMARS ecosystem. JFS, Land Precision Strike, NSM, Camm-ER, SPEAR-EW. All demonstrated on a plethora of platforms and being held back in implementation by the lack of a common launcher.

⚙️ HIMARS pods sit on an FMTV chassis, yet another vehicle platform that would be added to the UK inventory during a time where consolidation onto common vehicles would mitigate the need for some harsher cuts.

⚙️ The closed ecosystem means the MOD cannot use any of the missile industry in the UK. This part of UK defence industry is a success story, with proven missiles, expanding facilities in the UK and significant exports. None of which the US will allow onto M270 or HIMARS.

⚙️ Remember, the cost, complexity and effect of MLRS systems are the *missiles*, the launcher plays a smaller role.

⚙️ Denmark and the Netherlands have selected the Euro-PULS MLRS system.

➡️ Truck agnostic
➡️ Can be built in the UK
➡️ Open architecture
➡️ Accept UK built MBDA missiles
➡️ Accepts M31A2, ER-GMLRS and PrSM missiles
➡️ Same networked FCS as ATMOS, PzH 2000, RCH155, CAESAR

⚙️ As well as the IVECO above, PULS has also been seen on SCANIA, HEMTT, Mercedes and can probably be popped on a DAF made here in the UK over in Leyland as well. KMW/KNDS/MBDA are the Euro-PULS partners with large, security approved, footprints in the UK.

⚙️ PULS also has a PULS-Light. Ostensibly a smaller frame for 122mm-160mm rockets, but with the same, common, networked, FCS and Open Architecture. Consider one common FCS/Architecture from BGOAA through MRAD to Deep Fires. Pop Brimstone canisters on that frame, amongst others.

⚙️ M270 has served the UK well. A wheeled MLRS delivers Deep Fires for Expeditionary forces.

However, HIMARS represents lock-in to a closed and limited effects eco-system, even if moved to a MAN.

The MOD would benefit from a Universal Launcher to fit future Euro-US effects to.

⚙️ When you consider that a full, 12 x M31A2 load on an M270B1 costs $1.2M in 2022 money, you rapidly understand why US missile manufacturers happily talk about integrating their missiles on other platforms. Selling the launchers is a bonus. PULS integration of M31A2 and PrSM👍

⚙️ For further reading, happy to plug @thinkdefence's article on a Universal Launcher. We've been discussing this is detail for well over a decade.

thinkdefence.wordpress.com/2015/11/14/a-u…

⚙️ Have also helped with @thinkdefence's MCCO article which will give you an idea of what could be popped onto a "PULS Light" architecture in addition to other missiles and rockets with different target sets.

thinkdefence.co.uk/2023/02/mounte…

⚙️ @thinkdefence's piece on Land Precision Strike gives bridges what could be fitted to the PULS architecture to bridge the gap between MCCO and Deep Fires.

thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/12/land-p…

⚙️ A video of PULS is available on Elbit's YouTube channel. I'm assured KMW, KNDS and MBDA will have their own videos up shortly. Let this be a reminder!

⚠️ Quick disclaimer: I have no interests to declare in any of the systems mentioned, manufacturer, end users or any partners. i.e. no money/benefits.

⚙️ Hope this has been informative as to the status of the UK M270A2 recap, HIMARS discussions and an alternative.

I would be grateful for a Retweet of the Thread, a Like, and a Follow if you like this. Algorithms and all that.

/FIN