M270A2 MLRS

Tracked, armored multiple rocket launcher based on the Bradley chassis, carrying twice the rocket load of the wheeled HIMARS. The A2 upgrade adds a new common fire control system and improved engine.

In service since 2018 · 18 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

km/h

483

km range

25,191

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

US ITAR-controlled

Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.

Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale

Fielded & proven

Widely fielded · 18 operators

In service since 2018. Status: active · ~1,300 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 64 km/h

Stronger than 49% of artillery systems
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 483 km

Stronger than 40% of artillery systems

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 12x GMLRS rockets or 2x ATACMS/PrSM missiles
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.: 12

Stronger than 27% of artillery systems
Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach.: 300 km

Top 6% of artillery systems

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.: Steel armored cab
NBC protection Sealed crew compartment with overpressure filtration for nuclear/biological/chemical environments.: Yes

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 6.97 m
Width Overall width — matters for rail/road transport of vehicles.: 2.97 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.: 2.6 m
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 25,191 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 3

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: Cummins VTA-903T diesel
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.: 500 hp

Stronger than 22% of artillery systems
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Diesel, tracked

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 1,300

Stronger than 78% of artillery systems
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 18

Top 8% of artillery systems

Specifications compiled from public Lockheed Martin and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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