The test successfully validated the reliability of the program's stockpiles already delivered to the Army, while demonstrating a successful launch from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). All test objectives were achieved.

"Once again, we demonstrated that ATACMS is an extremely reliable and accurate system, offering the commander on the ground an all-weather, precision fires capability," said Scott Arnold, director - ATACMS Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"These stockpile reliability tests prove the viability of ATACMS missiles that have been in the inventory for some time. Our warfighters can be confident that ATACMS will serve them well in their defining moments."

The ATACMS missile is a responsive long-range missile fired from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of launchers, including the MLRS 270A1 launcher and HIMARS.

ATACMS includes the Block I, Block IA, Block IA Unitary and the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTD) Penetrator. The Block IA Unitary variant is currently in production, and includes plans to develop a multi-mode warhead with three fuze options, which will provide the capability to attack target sets of the current variants as well as hard targets. This phase of the program is expected to begin in FY'06.

ATACMS was the first tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm. ATACMS is a combat-proven evolutionary family of missiles, scoring numerous successes in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), where 456 missiles were fired.

HIMARS has a Future Force capability that supports lighter and more mobile fighting forces. Because of its C-130 transportability, HIMARS can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to heavier launchers. It also incorporates the self-loading, autonomous features that have made MLRS the premier rocket artillery system in the world.

HIMARS carries a single six-pack of MLRS rockets, or one ATACMS missile. Its fire control system, electronics and communications units are interchangeable with the existing MLRS M270A1 launcher, and the crew and training are the same. HIMARS prototypes were successfully employed in Operations Iraqi Freedom.

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