Updated: 2022
DESCRIPTION
The suite of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) are 24/7, all-weather, surface-to-surface, inertially guided missiles used to engage targets in the corps/Army area of influence. ATACMS were used extensively in both Operation DESERT STORM (1991) and in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2003) ground wars for shaping operations by the joint force, Joint Special Operations Forces, and Army Land Component Command operational levels. There is one missile per launching assembly (missile pod) with two missiles per launcher load in the M270/ M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System and one missile in the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher.
Targets include air defense artillery sites, surface-to-surface missile units, logistics sites, command and control complexes, and helicopter forward operating bases.
The ATACMS Modification program converts expired Block I/IA Anti-Personnel, Anti-Materiel (APAM) missiles to Unitary missiles and resets the original 10-year service life. The Unitary Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) configuration includes a Cluster Munitions (CM) policy compliant warhead, obsolescence refresh, re-grained rocket motor, and a proximity sensor.
BENEFIT TO THE SOLDIER
ATACMS provides the Warfighter the ability to engage both point and area high value targets with precision fires out to 300 km.
SPECIFICATIONS
- M39 Block I
- Range: 25-165 km
- Payload: 950 APAM bomblets
- Guidance: Inertial
- M39A1 Block IA
o Range: 70-300 km
o Payload: 300 APAM bomblets
o Guidance: Inertial with Global Positioning System (GPS) aided
- M48 Quick Reaction Unitary
o Range: 70-300 km
o Payload: Unitary Warhead
o Guidance: Inertial with GPS aided
- M57 TACMS 2000 Unitary
o Range: 70-300 km
o Payload: Unitary Warhead
o Guidance: Inertial with GPS aided
- M57A1 TACMS Height-of-Burst Unitary
o Range: 70-300 km
o Payload: Unitary Warhead
o Sensor: Proximity sensor for height-of-burst capability
o Guidance: Inertial with GPS aided
PROGRAM STATUS
- 2QFY18: ATACMS Unitary Height-of-Burst Operational Test #1 and #2 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
- 3QFY18: SLEP 2 Production Contract Award
- 3QFY19: SLEP 3 Production Contract Award with two Options
- 2QFY20: SLEP 4 Production Contract Option 1 Award
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
3QFY21: SLEP 5 Production Contract Option 2 Award