On February 28, 2020, the U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a potential $1.14 Billion contract modification to manufacture surface-to-surface systems designed to engage service area and point targets. The Company will provide Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems to the U.S. Army as well as South Korea and Romania as part of foreign military sales arrangements. Lockheed Martin received an $829M contract from the Army in April 2018 to produce GMLRS for three FMS (Foreign Military Sales) clients.
The U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) at Redstone Arsenal (RSA), Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-18-C-0049 – P00038). Fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 procurement appropriations, Army, and 2020 Foreign Military Sales (Romania and the Republic of Korea) funds for the modification amount were obligated at the time of the award. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2022. Lockheed Martin has produced more than 30,000 GMLRS rockets at its facility in Camden.
Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is a surface-to-surface system used to attack, neutralize, suppress and destroy targets using indirect precision fires up to 70-plus km. The GMLRS munitions have greater accuracy than ballistic rockets with a higher probability of kill and a reduced logistics footprint. The current GMLRS family of munitions consists of three fielded variants: Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) and the Alternative Warhead (AW) variants to service area targets; and the Unitary variant with a single 200-pound-class high-explosive charge to service point targets with low collateral damage.
The GMLRS is employed with the M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers. GMLRS rockets were utilized extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom and continue to provide field artillery support in Overseas Contingency Operations. Development efforts include modifying GMLRS to extend the maximum range and incorporating a side-mounted proximity sensor to improve area effects. The GMLRS rockets were utilized extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom and continue to provide field artillery support in Overseas Contingency Operations. Development efforts include modifying GMLRS to extend the maximum range and incorporating a side-mounted proximity sensor to improve area effects.
Current GMLRS variants include:
GMLRS Unitary: The combat-proven GMLRS Unitary round integrates a 200-pound unitary warhead, providing precision strike for point targets. The Unitary variant has a range exceeding 70 kilometers.
GMLRS Alternative Warhead (AW): The GMLRS AW round was the first munition developed to service area targets without the effects of unexploded ordinance, complying with the U.S. Department of Defense cluster munitions policy and international policies. The AW variant has a range exceeding 70 kilometers and delivers a 200-pound class fragmenting warhead.
Extended-Range (ER) GMLRS: A new developmental variation of the GMLRS family, ER GMLRS offers an extended range out to 150 kilometers in all weather conditions. ER GMLRS shares a significant commonality with legacy GMLRS and is deployable by HIMARS and the MLRS M270 family of launchers. The rounds incorporate a larger motor and have enhanced maneuverability due to tail-driven control.
