Ukraine used ATACMS long-range missiles against Russia
ATACMS are actively exported to nine countries (file photo) Photo: US Army
US President Joe Biden signed a bill providing $61 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. It is known that the new package will include long-range ballistic missiles Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Read more about the design, history and characteristics of ATACMS in the material URA.RU.
History of ATACMS creation
The creation of the ATACMS missile became possible after a change in the doctrine of the US Army at the end of the Cold War. It prescribed the use of non-nuclear missiles with high accuracy to destroy enemy reserves instead of a nuclear strike. The Simplified Inertial Guidance Demonstrator program was initiated and produced a solid propellant version of the MGM-52 Lance missile. Later, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) began the Assault Breaker missile program based on a new version of the Lance, designated the T-22.
The US Army soon decided to replace the Lance missiles with new solid-fuel missiles. To optimize resources, missile development programs were combined to create the Joint Tactical Missile System concept. In 1984, the Air Force withdrew from the program and the product was renamed the Army Tactical Missile System. In 1986, Ling-Temco-Vought was awarded a contract to develop the ATACMS missile. The first test launch of the MGM-140 took place in 1988, and ATACMS was first used in combat in 1991.
ATACMS design and characteristics
The MGM-140A ATACMS Block 1 missile contains a control system, a cluster warhead, a solid propellant engine and aerodynamic rudders. The M39 warhead contains approximately 950 M74 submunitions capable of hitting a variety of targets. The missile flies along a semi-ballistic trajectory over a distance of 165 km.
The tactical missile is stored in a transport and launch container to minimize preparation for launch. It is possible to hit various types of targets, including manpower, armored vehicles and other objects. Accuracy of hitting targets: high. There are also improved versions of the missile with increased range and accuracy.
According to military analyst Alexander Mikhailov, the missile’s flight range is from 160 to 300 kilometers, its maximum length is four meters, its weight varies from 1320 to 1670 kilograms. It is specified that the missile can maneuver during flight and is capable of bypassing air defenses. ATACMS targets are tanks, armored personnel carriers, buildings, bunkers, and concentrations of manpower.
Operation and Application of ATACMS
ATACMS were used in Operation Desert Storm (1991) and the Invasion of Iraq (2003), striking high-value targets. More than 560 missiles were used by 2015. The Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) extended the life and improved the performance of the missiles. In 2023, the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), replacing the ATACMS, was successfully tested. A total of 3.7 thousand missiles of various modifications were produced. ATACMS are actively exported to nine countries, including Poland, Turkey and South Korea.
An airfield in Crimea was attacked by ATACMS transferred
Ukrainian troops used American ATACMS missiles against an airfield in Crimea on April 17, Reuters reports. These missiles, included in a previous military aid package, were previously secretly transferred by the United States to Ukraine. The transfer was authorized by US President Joe Biden. Later, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky admitted responsibility for the attacks on the airfield in Dzhankoy.
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US President Joe Biden signed a bill providing $61 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. It is known that the new package will include long-range ballistic missiles Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Read more about the design, history and characteristics of ATACMS in the material URA.RU. The creation of the ATACMS missile became possible after a change in the doctrine of the US Army at the end of the Cold War. It prescribed the use of non-nuclear missiles with high accuracy to destroy enemy reserves instead of a nuclear strike. The Simplified Inertial Guidance Demonstrator program was initiated and produced a solid propellant version of the MGM-52 Lance missile. Later, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) began the Assault Breaker missile program based on a new version of the Lance, designated the T-22. The US Army soon decided to replace the Lance missiles with new solid-fuel missiles. To optimize resources, missile development programs were combined to create the Joint Tactical Missile System concept. In 1984, the Air Force withdrew from the program and the product was renamed the Army Tactical Missile System. In 1986, Ling-Temco-Vought was awarded a contract to develop the ATACMS missile. The first test launch of the MGM-140 took place in 1988, and ATACMS was first used in combat in 1991. The MGM-140A ATACMS Block 1 missile contains a control system, a cluster warhead, a solid propellant engine and aerodynamic rudders. The M39 warhead contains approximately 950 M74 submunitions capable of hitting a variety of targets. The missile flies along a semi-ballistic trajectory over a distance of 165 km. The tactical missile is stored in a transport and launch container to minimize preparation for launch. It is possible to hit various types of targets, including manpower, armored vehicles and other objects. Accuracy of hitting targets: high. There are also improved versions of the missile with increased range and accuracy. According to military analyst Alexander Mikhailov, the missile’s flight range is from 160 to 300 kilometers, its maximum length is four meters, its weight varies from 1320 to 1670 kilograms. It is specified that the missile can maneuver during flight and is capable of bypassing air defenses. ATACMS targets are tanks, armored personnel carriers, buildings, bunkers, and concentrations of manpower. ATACMS were used in Operation Desert Storm (1991) and the Invasion of Iraq (2003), striking high-value targets. More than 560 missiles were used by 2015. The Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) extended the life and improved the performance of the missiles. In 2023, the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), replacing the ATACMS, was successfully tested. A total of 3.7 thousand missiles of various modifications were produced. ATACMS are actively exported to nine countries, including Poland, Turkey and South Korea. Ukrainian troops used American ATACMS missiles against an airfield in Crimea on April 17, Reuters reports. These missiles, included in a previous military aid package, were previously secretly transferred by the United States to Ukraine. The transfer was authorized by US President Joe Biden. Later, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky admitted responsibility for the attacks on the airfield in Dzhankoy.
Tags: ATACMS missiles design characteristics history creation
