Lockheed Martin to Showcase Upgraded HIMARS in 2024 Germany Demonstration

Lockheed Martin is preparing to host a demonstration in Germany in 2024 to unveil an upgraded version of its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

The demonstration will feature the Ground Mobility Artillery Rocket System (GMARS), a collaborative effort with Rheinmetall, proposed as a potential replacement for the German armed forces' MARS 2 multiple launch rocket systems.

The German government has donated a number of MARS 2 launchers to Ukraine to support the country's defense against Russian forces.

Tom H. Stanton, Director of International Business Development for Tactical Missiles and Fire Control at Lockheed Martin, stated in an interview with Defense News on December 13, "We are probably somewhere around 12 months out from a demo in Germany, although I can’t further define what it will consist of."

Although an official tender for the Bundeswehr program is pending, Lockheed officials are positioning the GMARS with increased firepower capabilities, intending to double the number of munitions that can be loaded at once.

Howard Bromberg, Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin, explained, "The Germans are interested in what we call a double load-out capability on the GMARS – it allows for two pods of munitions." This feature enables the launcher to carry two Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), 12 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) or Extended-Range GMLRS, or four Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) between the two pods.

A potential competitor for the German program is a European version of the PULS artillery piece from Israel’s Elbit Systems, marketed in collaboration with the German-Franco KNDS joint venture. The Netherlands recently ordered 20 PULS systems.

Rocket artillery, particularly evident during the Ukraine war, has led to increased interest in HIMARS. Several European nations, including Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland, have either requested or acquired HIMARS equipment. Italy, the latest country to gain U.S. approval for the purchase of M142 HIMARS launchers, brings the total number of current and future operators in Europe to seven, including Ukraine and Romania.

Howard Bromberg emphasized Lockheed's active dialogue with over 20 European countries, stating, "We are in active dialogue with 20-plus European countries, including current and newer users, regarding our launcher solutions."

Customers' demand for precision and cost-effectiveness has led to improvements in weaponry accuracy. Bromberg noted, "Based on the demand for munitions like GMLRS and ATACMS, customers are looking for a high level of precision – to address the threat precisely where it is and with fewer missiles fired."

Lockheed Martin is also collaborating with the U.S. government on the development of PrSM Increment 2, enhancing the missile's capabilities, including moving target capability. The PrSM currently boasts a range exceeding 499 kilometers (310 miles).