October 29, 2024: HIMARS is a cheaper and lighter version of the original MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System). HIMARS is a truck mounted launcher, with each vehicle carrying one pod, instead of two in the earlier tracked MLRS. The 12 ton truck can fit into a C-130 transport, unlike the 22 ton tracked MLRS vehicle. Each pod carries six 208 kg GMLRS missiles, one 1.7 ATACMS or two 900 kg PrSM (Precision Strike) missiles.

HIMARS entered service in 2005 and was sent to Iraq in 2007, Afghanistan in 2010, Syria in 2017 and Ukraine in 2022. In Iraq U.S. Special Forces were one of the first to receive HIMARS in order to be able to strike Islamic terrorist targets quickly and accurately as soon as they were discovered.

By 2024 over 600 HIMARS were in service with the U.S. and six export customers. Nine other nations have ordered HIMARS but have not received any systems yet. Annual production of HIMARS is 60 vehicles.

Currently, the most active GLMRS (guided multiple launch rocket system) user is Ukraine, which has at least 20 HIMARS vehicles and has fired over 12,000 GMLRS rockets so far. GMLRS, used in conjunction with reconnaissance UAVs like Predator, gives an army the ability to call in its own airstrikes day or night and in any weather.

In 2024 Ukraine began receiving the larger GPS guided ATACMS missile with a range of 165 or 300 kilometers. HIMARS vehicles can only carry one ATACMS. This year the Joint Strike Missile is entering service and some are expected to show up in Ukraine in 2024 or 2025 for its first use in combat.

GMLRS has a range of 80 kilometers and the ability to land within meters of its intended target at any range. This is because its GPS, plus a less accurate backup inertial guidance system, has the ability to reliably hit its intended target. The failure rate of GMLRS is less than one percent. Most users buy the rockets equipped with an 82 kg high explosive warhead. The U.S. Army has purchased about 200,000 GMLRS rockets, and this weapon has been used with great success in Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine. The guided rocket is, obviously, much more effective than the older, unguided, version and has replaced it.

Only 3,700 of the larger and longer range ATACMS missiles were built by 1991 when production stopped. Over 600 have been fired in combat. ATACMS comes with two warhead options. One version of the warhead contains 950 anti-personnel bomblets, each the size of a baseball. With this warhead ATACMS has a range of 165 kilometers. A lighter warhead with only 300 bomblets has a range of 300 kilometers. GLMRS can use a warhead containing 404 of these bomblets. Most GLMRS are armed with the high explosive warhead.

ATACMS is being replaced by the 900 kg PrSM (Precision Strike missile). PrSM has a range of 500 kilometers and is accurate as GMLRS or ATACMS. HIMARS can carry two PrSMs. This missile was declared operational in 2024 some are expected to show up in Ukraine soon, if not already. The U.S. wants to see how PrSM performs in combat.

The fighting in Ukraine has demonstrated that drones and DSAR (Direct Support Artillery Rockets) are superior to conventional artillery, mainly 155mm howitzers. The drones and DSAR weapons used by both sides now account for most of the losses. Artillery is still used because guns and ammunition are still available. The gun barrels wear out after a certain number of shells are fired and when all the current artillery systems and munitions are gone, they will be replaced by drones and DSAR.