The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) support to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, in the execution of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr ) Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) fleet long-term reutilisation programme. NSPA accomplished on schedule and within budget the dismantling and recovery of 16 M270 MLRS and an additional Launcher Loader Module (LLM), achieving an impressive 86% recovery rate for selected parts from a system marked as obsolete. Following this successful recovery, all non-usable parts were demilitarized, disposed of, and sold as marketable materials (ferrous and non-ferrous metals), significantly cutting down the project’s overall costs. Upon project completion, around 94% of the launchers’ weight was recovered as reusable parts or recycled.
The recovered parts will have a second life sustaining the German Medium Artillery Rocket System (MARS) II fleet until at least 2035. Furthermore, NSPA consolidated interest from third parties in other remaining parts, resulting in the transfer of other critical components to the United Kingdom, contributing to the upgrade of the nation’s existing fleet. Other assemblies were transferred to NSPA’s in-house repair and maintenance workshop, supplying the spare parts stock for foreseeable repairs. The project illustrates the successful cooperation within the MLRS community and the potential value of D3 in offering critical components to Nations that may be facing the challenges in procurement of parts, market shortages, long turnaround times for supply, or significant price increases for new parts.
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is an American-developed armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher. The U.S. Army variant of the MLRS vehicle is based on the chassis of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The first M270s were delivered in 1983. The MLRS were subsequently adopted by several NATO countries and other countries. The MARS2 / LRU is an European upgrade of M270 involving Germany, Italy and France. MARS II is equipped with a new fire control system (EFCS – European Fire Control System) designed par Airbus Defense and Space. EFCS enables firing of M31, M31A1, M32, AT2 and 110 mm rockets, but not of M26, M26A1, and M30, so as to ensure full compliance with the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
The MARS II system was introduced to the Bundeswehr in 1990 under the designation MARS. The MARS2 can fire missiles of M31 Unitary type derived from the M30 currently in equipment, armed with a single explosive charge head for use in urban and mountainous areas; this craft is flying at Mach 3,4. The range of the rocket extends from 60 km for the M30 to 80 km for the M31 which contains a load of 404 submunitions M85. This activity is also a strong example of circular economy, ensuring the long-term provision of otherwise obsolete A0/A1 parts to the German and British fleets. The successful project approach reduced recovery and disposal costs through the consolidation with other MLRS Nations and promoted responsible and sustainable disposal operations.
