The MLRS was purchased to replace the M107 guns.

The MLRS is based on the US M2 Bradley chassis and the system is self-loaded
with two rocket pod containers, each containging six rockets.

The whole loading sequence is power assited and loading takes between 20 / 40 minutes,
there is no manual procedure.

A single round " Fire for effect " ( 12 rockets ) delivers 7,728 bomblets and the coverage achieved is
considered sufficient to neutralise a 500 x 500m target.
The weapon system is range dependant and therefore more rounds will be required to guarantee the
effect as the range to the target increases.

Ammunition for the MLRS is carried on the DROPS vehicle which is a Medium Mobility load Carrier
Each DROPS vehicle with a trailer can carry 8 x Rocket Pod Containers and there are 15 x DROPS
vehicles supporting the 9 x M270 Launcher vehicles within each MLRS Battery.

MLRS is the final link in a chain that includes almost everything available on the modern Battlefield.
High speed communications - collation of intelligence - logistics and a multitude of high technology
Artillery skills and drills.

MLRS is deployed as independant launcher units, using "shoot and scoot" techniques.
A Battery of nine launchers will be given a Battery maneuver area (BMA) within which
are allocated three troop maneuver areas (TMA).
These TMA,s will contain close hides,survey points and reload points. In a typical engagement
a single launcher will be given its fire mission orders using burst data transmission.

An important initial piece of information received is the "drive on angle ". The crew will drive
the launcher out of the hide (usually less than 100m) and align it with this angle.
Using the navigation equipment, its location is fed into the ballistic computer which already has the full
fire mission details. The launcher is then elevated and fired. The process can take as little
as a few minutes to complete.

As soon as possible after firing, the vehicle will leave the firing location and go to a reload point.
Where it will unload the empty rocket pods and pick up a full one, this can be done in less
than five minutes. It will then go to a new hide within the TMA via a survey point,
to check the accuracy of the navigation system.

In addition to attack by radar controlled counter battery fire, its effectiveness as an interdiction
weapon makes it a valuable target for special forces units.
although MLRS will be hidden amongst friendly forces up to 15km behind the FEBA, its firing
signature and small crew will force it to move continually to avoid an actual confrontation
with enemy troops.

The British army is currently looking at extremely long-range, terminally - guided,
sub-munitions to be delivered by MLRS.

Crew : ................................................3
Length : ..........................................7.167m
Width : ..........................................2.97m
Height : .Stowed 2.57 - Max Elevation 5.92
Max road speed : ......................................................64km/hr
Road range : ..................................................480km
Engine : ..........Cummings VTA 903 Turbo
Rocket diameter : .........................................................227mm
rocket length : .....................................................3.93m