The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System is a surface-to-surface missile manufactured
by Lockheed Martin.
It has a range of over 160 kilometres, with solid propellant, and is 4.0 metres high and
610 millimetres in diameter.
The ATACMS can be fired from multiple rocket launchers, including the M270 MLRS, and HIMARS.
An ATACMS launch container has a lid patterned with six circles like a standard MLRS rocket
lid.
The first use of the ATACMS in a combat capability was during Operation Desert Storm, where a
total of 32 were fired from the M270 MLRS.
During the Operation Iraqi Freedom more than 450 missiles were fired.
Variants MGM-140A – Block I
Previously M39, unguided missile contains 950 M74 anti-personnel/anti-materiel submunitions
with a range of 128 kilometres.
MGM-140B – Block IA Previously M39A1, missile uses GPS/INS guidance,
carries 275 M74 submunitions and has a 165 kilometres range.
MGM-164 ATacMS – Block II A Block II variant was designed to carry a
payload of 13 Brilliant Anti-Tank munitions manufactured by Northrop Grumman.
However, in late 2003 the U.S. Army terminated the funding for the BAT-equipped ATACMS and
therefore the MGM-164A never became fully operational.
MGM-168 ATacMS – Block IVA Originally designated Block IA Unitary, the
new Block IVA variant was designed to carry a 230 kilograms unitary HE warhead instead
of the M74 bomblets.
It uses the same GPS/INS guidance as the MGM-140B.
The development contract was placed in December 2000, and flight-testing began in April 2001.
The first production contract was awarded in March 2002.
The range has been increased to some 300 kilometres, limited more by the legal provisions of the
Missile Technology Control Regime than technical considerations.
Operators Bahrain: Royal Bahraini Army
Greece: Hellenic Army is also a known user of the ATACMS.
Republic of China: Republic of China Army.
On 20 December 2010, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract for $916 million for 226 'tactical
missiles' and 24 launcher modification kits for the UAE and Taiwan.
South Korea: In 2002, the South Korean Army purchased 111 ATACMS Block I and 110 ATACMS
Block IA missiles, which were deployed in 2004.
An affiliated company of the Hanwha Group of Korea produces munitions for the missile
systems under license from Lockheed Martin.
Turkey: Turkish Army is also a known user of the ATACMS.
United Arab Emirates: United Arab Emirates Army.
On 20 December 2010, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract for $916 million for 226 'tactical
missiles' and 24 launcher modification kits for the UAE and Taiwan.
United States: United States Army See also
United States Army Aviation and Missile Command Comparable missiles
OTR-21 Tochka P-12
Prahaar References
External links ATACMS Long-Range Precision Tactical Missile
System Lockheed Martin Army Tactical Missile System Block IA Unitary
Lockheed Martin.
Retrieved 6 October 2011.
Rogers III, Henry T..
"Army Tactical Missile System and Fixed-Wing Aircraft Capabilities in the Joint Time Sensitive
Targeting Process".
Master thesis.
US Army Command and General Staff College.
Retrieved 24 April 2012.
Precision Guided Missiles and Rockets Program Review U.S. Defense Technical Information
Center.
ATACMS / ATACMS Block IA Unitary Deagel.com.
Retrieved 6 October 2011.
M39 ATMS GlobalSecurity.org.
Retrieved 6 October 2011.
M39 Army Tactical Missile System Federation of American Scientists | FAS.org.
Retrieved 6 October 2011.