Support Equipment

M261 lightweight launcher

Also known as
  • M261
  • M-261
  • M261 rocket launcher
  • M261 Lightweight Launcher
  • M261 Hydra-70 launcher
  • 19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod
  • 19-round Hydra-70 rocket pod

The M261 lightweight launcher is Arnold Defense's 19-round 70 mm rotary-wing rocket launcher for Hydra-70 rockets. Arnold Defense ties the pod to the U.S. Army Apache program, and DVIDS documents an AH-64 in Erbil, Iraq carrying the M261 during 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve close-air-support operations.

M261 lightweight launcher, 19-round 70 mm rocket launcher, Support Equipment
Image source: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
19-round 70 mm rocket launcher
Service note
1980s-present

Specifications

Capacity
19 rockets (2.75 in / 70 mm)
Rocket family
Hydra-70 / 2.75-inch aerial rockets
Length
66.2 in (168.15 cm)
Diameter
15.875 in (40.32 cm)
Weight empty
87 lb (39.46 kg)
Firing interface
On-board firing system required
NSN
1055-01-071-0064
Variants

Arnold Defense's lightweight 70 mm launcher family includes the seven-round M260, the 19-round M261, and the LWL-12, a reduced-weight 12-round launcher derived from the M261 layout.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
M260 lightweight launcher7-round lightweight launcher

Arnold Defense lists the M260 as a 7-round 2.75-inch / 70 mm launcher with the same 66.2-inch length as the M261 and a smaller 8-inch diameter.

Sources: M260 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense

LWL-12 lightweight launcher12-round reduced-weight launcher

Arnold Defense says the LWL-12 removes the bottom two rows from the M261 to reduce weight while retaining more firepower than the M260.

Sources: LWL-12 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense

Carrier Aircraft

Rotary-wing aircraft are documented carrying the M261 or closely described 19-shot Hydra-70 launcher fits.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterAttack helicopter

Arnold Defense says the M261 is predominantly used by the U.S. Army Apache program, and DVIDS documented an AH-64 carrying the launcher at Erbil during 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve.

Sources: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense, Task Force Dragon Erbil Iraq

Black Hawk helicopter, Medium-lift military utility helicopter family, Aircraft & UAVsBlack Hawk helicopterArmed utility helicopter

Lockheed Martin says armed Black Hawk external wings can carry a 19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod.

Sources: Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed Martin

AH-60L Arpia, Armed utility / attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-60L ArpiaAttack helicopter

The AH-60 IV fact sheet lists two M-261 rocket launchers among the helicopter's armament.

Sources: AH-60 fact sheet

Launched Rockets

The M261 is a launcher for the Hydra-70 / 2.75-inch rocket family rather than a rocket round itself.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
Hydra-70 rocket system, 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsHydra-70 rocket system2.75-inch air-launched rocket family

Arnold Defense says the M261 can fire many types of Hydra 70 rockets, while General Dynamics says Hydra-70 fires from existing seven- and 19-tube launchers.

Sources: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense, HYDRA-70 Rocket

Launcher Family Position

The M261 sits in Arnold Defense's lightweight 2.75-inch launcher family as the high-capacity rotary-wing option, between the smaller M260 and the lighter LWL-12 derivative.

LauncherCapacityDocumented role
M2607 rocketsSmaller lightweight 70 mm launcher in the same family.
M26119 rocketsRotary-wing launcher tied by Arnold Defense to the U.S. Army Apache program.
LWL-1212 rocketsReduced-weight launcher derived by removing the lower rows from the M261 layout.

Sources: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense; M260 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense; LWL-12 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense.

Timeline

M261 lightweight launcher Key Events

  1. M261 documented at Erbil

    DVIDS photographed a 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment AH-64 at Erbil, Iraq with an M261 launcher during 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve.

    Sources: Task Force Dragon Erbil Iraq

  2. M261 showcased at Army aviation summit

    Arnold Defense announced that the 19-round M261 would be displayed at the 2019 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit on an AH-6 Little Bird.

    Sources: Arnold Defense 2019 QUAD-A launchers

Media

M261 lightweight launcher Images

M261 lightweight launcher, 19-round 70 mm rocket launcher, Support Equipment - view 1
Source: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense
M261 lightweight launcher, 19-round 70 mm rocket launcher, Support Equipment - view 2
Source: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense
Related Weapon Systems
Hydra-70 rocket system, 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsMunitionsHydra-70 rocket system2.75-inch air-launched rocket familyHydra-70 is the U.S. 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family managed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. Official sources describe it as a lightweight, multi-mission rocket family built around the MK66 motor, mission-specific warheads, and seven- or 19-tube launchers; cataloged conflict evidence includes U.S. transfers to Ukraine, Apache and Marine attack-helicopter use in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve, and Apache employment in the 1990 Gulf War.
2.75-inch rockets, Unguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsMunitions2.75-inch rocketsUnguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket familyThe 2.75-inch rocket family covers the U.S. 70 mm unguided aerial rocket line from early FFAR/Mk 4 and Mk 40 rockets through the modern Hydra-70/Mk 66 system. Army and GD-OTS sources describe a modular air-launched rocket used with multiple warheads from fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, while official U.S. military sources document 2.75-inch rocket use from Vietnam and Desert Storm through Iraq, Afghanistan, Operation Inherent Resolve, and U.S. aid to Ukraine.
M142 HIMARS, Wheeled multiple rocket launcher and tactical missile launcher, ArtilleryArtilleryM142 HIMARSWheeled multiple rocket launcher and tactical missile launcherThe 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.
M230 30 mm chain gun, 30 mm autocannon, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsM230 30 mm chain gun30 mm autocannonThe M230 30 mm chain gun is an externally powered 30x113 mm autocannon built around Apache helicopter fire support, later adapted into M230LF and XM914 ground counter-UAS variants. Northrop Grumman describes the aviation M230 as the original medium-caliber Chain Gun and the M230LF as a lightweight ground and sea-platform weapon; direct sources document Apache M230 fielding in Afghanistan, Iraq, Operation Inherent Resolve, Israeli Apache use in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, and M230LF-based Slinger systems ordered for Ukraine.
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64 Apache is a U.S. twin-engine attack helicopter family designed by Hughes Helicopters and continued through McDonnell Douglas and Boeing production. Built around a two-person crew, nose-mounted sensors, a 30 mm chain gun, rockets, and guided missiles, it has direct source-backed combat use from Desert Storm and Iraq to Afghanistan, Sinai, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, anti-ISIS operations, and recent U.S. operations against Iran.

Sources

M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the M261 designation, 19-shot capacity, dimensions, empty weight, Apache-program use, product background, and product imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Task Force Dragon Erbil IraqPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve: documents a U.S. Army AH-64 in Erbil, Iraq equipped with an M261 rocket launcher for Hydra 70 rockets during close air support operations; also supports public-domain image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-29HYDRA-70 RocketPublisher: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | Note: Supports Hydra-70 compatibility with existing seven- and 19-tube launchers and rotary- or fixed-wing aircraft including Apache. | Accessed: 2026-06-29M260 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the M260 seven-round lightweight launcher designation, dimensions, capacity, and family relationship context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29LWL-12 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the LWL-12 as a 12-round launcher derived by removing two bottom rows from the M261 and reducing weight. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Arnold Defense 2019 QUAD-A launchersPublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the April 2019 display of the 19-round M261 on an AH-6 Little Bird and broader Arnold launcher-family context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Black Hawk external wings carrying a 19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod. | Accessed: 2026-06-29AH-60 fact sheetPublisher: Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana | Note: Supports the AH-60 IV armament listing that includes two M-261 rocket launchers. | Accessed: 2026-06-29