Lockheed Martin will conduct a flight test of the ER GMLRS missile with a maximum launch range of 150 km at the end of the year

Lockheed Martin is preparing for the possible launch of mass production of long-range ER GMLRS missiles. For this she

plans to conduct another flight test by the end of the year.

What is known

ER GMLRS is one of the modifications of the managedall-weather rocket GMLRS. In March 2021, Lockheed Martin conducted the first test, in which the projectile hit a target at a distance of 80 km. At the end of last year, an M142 HIMARS launched a rocket at 59 km. The maximum launch range will be 150 km.

The US Army has not yet made a decision regardinglaunch of ER GMLRS production. Lockheed Martin hopes to put the new missile on the assembly line soon. The final decision should be made in 2024.

</ img>

ER GMLRS will be hosted in standard launcherscontainers M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS, although the caliber will increase from 9" to 10". The missile will be controlled by tail rudders to reduce drag and increase the maneuverability of the ammunition.

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin received a contract foramount of $4.79 billion for the production of GMLRS. Conventional projectiles have a maximum launch range of approximately 80 km. The US Army is preparing to sign a multi-year agreement and increase GMLRS production to 14,000 missiles per year from the current 6,000 units.