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United States Lockheed Martin
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
64
km/h
483
km range
25,191
kg
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. Why so few systems publish one →
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 |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 483 km |
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 |
| Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach. | 300 km |
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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 18 |
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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G6 Rhino Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS? +
The Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS has a maximum speed of 64 km/h.
What is the range of the Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS? +
The Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS has a maximum range of 483 km.
How much does the Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS weigh? +
The Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS has a combat weight of 25,191 kg.
How many crew does the Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS require? +
The Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS requires a crew of 3.
What is the main armament of the Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS? +
The Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS's primary weapon is the 12x GMLRS rockets or 2x ATACMS/PrSM missiles.
What engine does the Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS use? +
The Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS is powered by the Cummins VTA-903T diesel.
How many countries operate the Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS? +
The Lockheed Martin M270A2 MLRS is operated by 18 countries.
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Related coverage
M270A2 MLRS in the news
News digest · Aug 15, 2026
The Interceptor Math Breaks: Inside a Week of Defense Shortfalls
Zelensky says Ukraine receives 1% of the Patriot interceptors it needs, and every fix on the table this week, from lasers to new motors, is years away.
News procurement · Aug 10, 2026
Turkey to Send Ukraine 70 ATACMS, 12 M270 Launchers in $256M Deal
State Dept notified Congress of Turkey's M270, ATACMS and cluster-munition transfer to Ukraine, extending deep-strike reach beyond direct US aid.
News procurement · Jul 10, 2026
UK joins US PrSM program, commits £190M for long-range missiles
Britain becomes second NATO ally to procure Precision Strike Missiles, integrating with M270 MLRS and aligning with broader European deep-strike ambitions.