Artillery

M142 HIMARS

Also known as
  • M142
  • High Mobility Artillery Rocket System

The M142 HIMARS is a U.S.-built wheeled rocket and tactical missile launcher produced by Lockheed Martin for mobile precision fires. It carries one six-rocket pod, two PrSM missiles, or one ATACMS missile, uses a five-ton truck chassis with an armored cab, and can deploy by C-130-class airlift. Lockheed Martin reported the 750th launcher delivery in November 2025, while its combat record spans U.S. operations and Ukrainian long-range fires against Russian forces.

M142 HIMARS, Wheeled multiple rocket launcher and tactical missile launcher, Artillery
Image source: File:M142 himars.jpg

Role in Conflicts

2020 United States-Iran Conflict
Role in conflict
Long-range missile strike

U.S. forces used HIMARS during Operation Epic Fury against Iranian targets, with reporting and official imagery showing ATACMS and PrSM deep-strike launches.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Wheeled multiple rocket launcher and tactical missile launcher
Service note
In service since 2005; prominent in post-2015 precision fires
Designed
Concept originated in the 1980s; first mockup fabricated in 1991 and prototype firing/transportability demonstrations followed in 1998.
Produced
2000s-present, with production ramped down in 2013 and renewed full-rate production reported by the U.S. Army in 2020.
Number built
Lockheed Martin reported delivery of the 750th HIMARS launcher on November 5, 2025.

Specifications

Crew
3
Chassis
Five-ton FMTV-family wheeled truck chassis with launcher-loader module, fire-control system, and armored cab
Launcher loadout
One pod with six GMLRS/ER GMLRS rockets, two PrSM missiles, or one ATACMS missile
Rocket and missile family
MLRS Family of Munitions, including 227 mm GMLRS, ER GMLRS, ATACMS, and PrSM
Range class
GMLRS beyond 40 miles; ER GMLRS about 150 km; ATACMS variants up to about 300 km; PrSM advertised at 499+ km
Mobility
6x6 FMTV-family wheeled chassis; transportable by C-130 and larger aircraft
Service entry
U.S. Army service since 2005
FLEX concept
Lockheed Martin describes HIMARS FLEX as a modular HIMARS evolution with single-pod baseline, dual-pod FLEX loadout, mobile and containerized platform options, and optional autonomy.
Variants

The HIMARS family centers on the M142 single-pod launcher and includes close configurations that retain the launcher ecosystem while changing truck integration, modularity, or loadout options.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Homar-APolish 6x6 launcher integration

Poland's Homar-A program integrates key HIMARS launcher components onto a Jelcz 6x6 truck, with Lockheed Martin describing planned Polish assembly of 486 vehicles.

Sources: Poland's Ministry of National Defense Signs Framework Agreement with Lockheed Martin for Homar-A Rocket Artillery System Program

HIMARS FLEXModular dual-pod and autonomy-ready evolution

Lockheed Martin introduced HIMARS FLEX as a modular evolution using the FLEXFires ecosystem, with single-pod, dual-pod, mobile, containerized, and optional autonomy configurations.

Sources: HIMARS FLEX Modernized for Mission Flexibility

Launcher Loadouts

Lockheed Martin describes HIMARS as a launcher for GMLRS rockets, ATACMS, and PrSM.

AmmunitionAmmunition typeFiring evidence
GMLRS guided rocket, 227 mm guided artillery rocket, MunitionsGMLRS guided rocketGuided rocket

Lockheed Martin says HIMARS carries a six-pack of GMLRS or ER GMLRS rockets.

Sources: HIMARS

Army Tactical Missile System / ATACMS, Short-range tactical ballistic missile, ArtilleryArmy Tactical Missile System / ATACMSBallistic missile

Lockheed Martin says HIMARS carries one ATACMS missile.

Sources: HIMARS

Precision Strike Missile, Long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, ArtilleryPrecision Strike MissileBallistic missile

Lockheed Martin says HIMARS carries two Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).

Sources: HIMARS

Launcher family growth

The baseline M142 launcher remains a single-pod system, while Lockheed Martin describes HIMARS FLEX as adding dual-pod, mobile, containerized, and optional autonomy configurations inside the same launcher ecosystem.

Sources: HIMARS, HIMARS FLEX Modernized for Mission Flexibility

Timeline

M142 HIMARS Key Events

  1. Lightweight MLRS mockup built

    The Army traced HIMARS to a 1980s lightweight MLRS concept and a 1991 mockup using a five-ton FMTV truck chassis.

    Sources: Army celebrates production of 500th HIMARS

  2. Prototype proves firing and airlift concept

    Prototype HIMARS launchers fired several missions and demonstrated the feasibility of C-130 transportability during the Rapid Force Projection Initiative work.

    Sources: Army celebrates production of 500th HIMARS

  3. First U.S. Army battalion certified

    The 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg became the first certified Army HIMARS battalion.

    Sources: Army Battalion Becomes First Unit Equipped With Lockheed Martin's Future Force HIMARS Launcher

  4. Musa Qala strike in Afghanistan

    General Nicholson said Marines tracked Taliban leaders to a Musa Qala meeting and struck them with HIMARS rockets after the Farah fighting.

    Sources: Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Nicholson via Teleconference from Kabul, Afghanistan

  5. United States announces HIMARS for Ukraine

    The Defense Department announced four M142 HIMARS and GMLRS rockets for Ukraine in a $700 million drawdown package.

    Sources: Advanced Rocket Launcher System Heads to Ukraine

  6. Ukraine reported using HIMARS successfully

    A senior defense official said Ukraine was successfully employing HIMARS, including against Russian command posts in the east.

    Sources: Senior Defense Official Holds a Background Briefing

  7. Homar-A framework agreement signed

    Poland and Lockheed Martin signed a Homar-A framework agreement to integrate HIMARS launcher components onto Jelcz 6x6 trucks for Polish assembly.

    Sources: Poland's Ministry of National Defense Signs Framework Agreement with Lockheed Martin for Homar-A Rocket Artillery System Program

  8. More than 40 HIMARS listed for Ukraine

    A Defense Department security-assistance fact sheet listed more than 40 HIMARS and ammunition provided to Ukraine.

    Sources: Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine

  9. Lockheed Martin delivers 750th HIMARS

    Lockheed Martin reported delivery of the 750th HIMARS launcher, citing the Camden production line's role in U.S. and allied deliveries.

    Sources: Driving Precision and Readiness Lockheed Martin Delivers 750th HIMARS

  10. HIMARS FLEX introduced

    Lockheed Martin introduced HIMARS FLEX as a modular evolution of HIMARS with FLEXFires technology, dual-pod options, containerized and mobile configurations, and optional autonomy.

    Sources: HIMARS FLEX Modernized for Mission Flexibility

Media

M142 HIMARS Videos

M142 HIMARS Images

M142 HIMARS, Wheeled multiple rocket launcher and tactical missile launcher, Artillery - view 1
Source: HIMARS Support Operation Epic Fury
M142 HIMARS, Wheeled multiple rocket launcher and tactical missile launcher, Artillery - view 2
Source: File:HIMARS missile launched.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
Army Tactical Missile System / ATACMS, Short-range tactical ballistic missile, ArtilleryArtilleryArmy Tactical Missile System / ATACMSShort-range tactical ballistic missileThe Army Tactical Missile System, commonly known as ATACMS, is a U.S. solid-fuel short-range ballistic missile fired from M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS launchers. Its family spans M39/Block I cluster-warhead missiles, extended-range Block IA rounds, and later unitary-warhead variants, with documented combat use by U.S. forces in the 1990 Gulf War and 2003 Iraq War, transfer to Ukraine for long-range strikes, and later U.S. maritime-strike use during Operation Epic Fury.
Military Truck, Military logistics truck and tactical wheeled vehicle, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentMilitary TruckMilitary logistics truck and tactical wheeled vehicleMilitary trucks are wheeled logistics and tactical support vehicles used for cargo movement, convoy sustainment, heavy-equipment transport, fuel and water distribution, and as chassis for road-mobile weapon systems. The class spans generic cargo trucks through tactical wheeled vehicle families such as FMTV, and conflict evidence on this page is limited to directly sourced Ukraine transfers and Afghanistan convoy operations.

Sources

HIMARSPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports manufacturer background, launcher loadout, and main HIMARS specifications including GMLRS, ATACMS, and PrSM compatibility. | Accessed: 2026-06-19The U.S. Army Marked the Delivery of the 400th High Mobility Artillery Rocket SystemPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports service-entry, wheeled chassis, C-130 transportability, and six-rocket or one-ATACMS launcher loadout. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to UkrainePublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Directly documents HIMARS supplied to Ukraine during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War, including the more-than-40 HIMARS total listed in January 2025. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Advanced Rocket Launcher System Heads to UkrainePublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Directly documents M142 HIMARS and GMLRS provided to Ukraine during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War in the June 2022 U.S. security-assistance announcement, and supports range context. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Senior Defense Official Holds a Background BriefingPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Directly documents Ukrainian forces successfully employing HIMARS during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War, including against Russian command posts. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Nicholson via Teleconference from Kabul, AfghanistanPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Directly documents U.S. Marines using HIMARS rockets against Taliban leaders in Musa Qala during the 2001 War in Afghanistan. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U.S. Army Soldiers Conduct Rocket Strikes Against ISIS in SyriaPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Directly documents U.S. Army M142 HIMARS fire missions in Syria for coalition partner forces during 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U.S. Striking Iranian Navy Ships With Ballistic MissilesPublisher: The War Zone | Note: 2020 United States-Iran Conflict used by U.S. forces in Operation Epic Fury; reporting describes M142 HIMARS strikes against Iranian naval targets, including ATACMS and PrSM launch context. | Accessed: 2026-06-20HIMARS Support Operation Epic FuryPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: 2020 United States-Iran Conflict used by U.S. Army HIMARS in Operation Epic Fury; official CENTCOM video shows the system supporting the operation. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Army celebrates production of 500th HIMARSPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports HIMARS design history, prototype demonstrations, production count, full-rate production context, and MLRS family fire-control background. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Army Battalion Becomes First Unit Equipped With Lockheed Martin's Future Force HIMARS LauncherPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports first U.S. Army battalion fielding, C-130 transportability, six-rocket or one-ATACMS loadout, and MLRS-family munition compatibility. | Accessed: 2026-06-24U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin $492 Million Contract for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System LaunchersPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports manufacturer, Camden production location, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Romania, and Poland contract context, and chassis/fire-control/armored-cab specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Poland's Ministry of National Defense Signs Framework Agreement with Lockheed Martin for Homar-A Rocket Artillery System ProgramPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Homar-A variant context, Polish assembly plans, Jelcz 6x6 integration, and GMLRS/ATACMS launcher compatibility. | Accessed: 2026-06-24Driving Precision and Readiness Lockheed Martin Delivers 750th HIMARSPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the 750th HIMARS launcher delivery and updated production-count context. | Accessed: 2026-06-30HIMARS FLEX Modernized for Mission FlexibilityPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports HIMARS FLEX variant context, FLEXFires modularity, dual-pod loadout options, containerized and mobile platform options, and optional autonomy. | Accessed: 2026-06-30File:M142 himars.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports primary image provenance; listed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. | Accessed: 2026-06-20File:HIMARS.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for the HIMARS launcher image. | Accessed: 2026-06-30File:HIMARS missile launched.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for the HIMARS launch image. | Accessed: 2026-06-30