M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System

M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)
Type	Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1983–present
Used by	See Operators
Wars	Persian Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine 2023 Israel–Hamas war
Production history
Designer	Ling-Temco-Vought[1]
Designed	1977
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Diehl BGT Defence Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Aérospatiale-Matra
Unit cost	Domestic cost: $2.3 million per one launcher (FY 1990) $4.7 million (in 2023)[2] per one launcher $168,000 per one M31 GMLRS (FY 2023)[3] Export cost: $434,000 per one M31ER GMLRS (FY 2022)[4]
Produced	1980–2003[citation needed]
Variants	M270, M270A1, M270A2, MARS II, LRU, MLRS-I
Specifications
Mass	52,990 lb (24,040 kg) (combat loaded w/ 12 rockets)[5]
Length	274.5 in (6.97 m)[5]
Width	117 in (3.0 m)[5]
Height	102 in (2.59 m) (launcher stowed)[5]
Crew	3
Caliber	227 mm (8.9 in)
Effective firing range	M26: 32 km (19.9 mi) M26A1/A2: 45 km (28.0 mi) M30/31: 92 km (57.2 mi) [6]
Maximum firing range	ATACMS: 165 or 300 km (103 or 186 mi)
Armor	5083 aluminum hull, 7039 aluminum cab[5]
Main armament	12 × MLRS or 2 × ATACMS or 4 x PrSM
Engine	Cummins VTA-903 diesel engine[5] 500 hp (373 kW) at 2600 rpm[5] 600 hp (447 kW) (M270A1)[1]
Power/weight	18.9 hp/ST (15.5 kW/t) (M270)[5]
Suspension	Torsion bar[5]
Operational range	300 mi (483 km)[5]
Maximum speed	40 mph (64.4 km/h)[5]

The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is an American armored self-propelled multiple launch rocket system.

The U.S. Army variant of the M270 is based on the chassis of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The first M270s were delivered in 1983, and were subsequently adopted by several NATO and non-NATO militaries. The platform first saw service with the United States in the 1991 Gulf War. It has received multiple improvements since its inception, including the ability to fire guided missiles. M270s provided by the United Kingdom have seen use in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[7]