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United States Lockheed Martin
M142 HIMARS
Wheeled, truck-mounted rocket artillery system that fires the same GMLRS rockets and ATACMS missiles as the tracked MLRS but with a lighter, air-transportable chassis. Gained international prominence in the war in Ukraine.
In service since 2005 · 12 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗
85
km/h
480
km range
16,257
kg
💲 ≈ $5,100,000, Approximate launcher unit cost
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
US ITAR-controlled
Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.
Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale
Fielded & proven
Established · 12 operators
In service since 2005. Status: active · ~540 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
$13M – $18M
Acquisition is only ~30% of lifecycle cost, operating & support dominate over ~25 yrs. Rough 2.5–3.5× the unit price. Published studies put O&S anywhere from ~55% to ~70% of lifecycle cost depending on platform and method, which is why this is a band and not a single number. How we estimate this →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Competitive field
55 comparable systems from 25 other manufacturers
Counted in the WeaponSpecs database: artillery systems built by another manufacturer. A count of what this catalog holds, not a survey of the whole market. See the alternatives →
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 85 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 480 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 6x GMLRS rocket pod or 1x ATACMS/PrSM missile |
|---|---|
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 6 |
| Max firing range Maximum range of the main gun or rocket artillery (with assisted/extended-range munitions where noted). Higher extends reach. | 300 km |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 7 m |
|---|---|
| Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles. | 2.4 m |
| Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles. | 3.2 m |
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 16,257 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 3 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | Caterpillar C7 diesel |
|---|---|
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Diesel, 6x6 wheeled truck chassis |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper. | $5,100,000 |
|---|---|
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 540 |
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 12 |
Specifications compiled from public Lockheed Martin and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
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DANA Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS has a maximum speed of 85 km/h.
What is the range of the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS has a maximum range of 480 km.
How much does the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS weigh? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS has a combat weight of 16,257 kg.
How many crew does the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS require? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS requires a crew of 3.
What is the main armament of the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS's primary weapon is the 6x GMLRS rocket pod or 1x ATACMS/PrSM missile.
What engine does the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS use? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS is powered by the Caterpillar C7 diesel.
How many countries operate the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS is operated by 12 countries.
How much does the Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS cost? +
The Lockheed Martin M142 HIMARS has an approximate unit cost of 5,100,000 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration, treat this as directional.
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Related coverage
M142 HIMARS in the news
News procurement · Aug 18, 2026
Army Seeks 133,000 GMLRS Rockets, Wants Output Up 36%
A Sources Sought notice asks industry for 19,002 GMLRS rockets a year from 2028-2034, a bet on the munition Ukraine has burned through fastest.
News policy · Jul 12, 2026
NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative Enters Early Rollout
A U.S. Army V Corps-led effort to link sensors, drones and AI-assisted targeting along NATO's border with Russia is advancing from design to early implementation, distinct from but running alongside Operation Eastern Sentry.
News procurement · Jul 10, 2026
UK joins US PrSM program, commits £190M for long-range missiles
Britain becomes second NATO ally to procure Precision Strike Missiles, integrating with M270 MLRS and aligning with broader European deep-strike ambitions.
Article comparison · Jul 8, 2026
Tube Howitzers vs Rocket Artillery: The Real Range Gap
The longest tube howitzer in our database claims 70 km, unverified. The longest rocket system reaches 350 km, a genuinely different weapon.
News procurement · Jul 8, 2026
Lockheed, Rheinmetall to Build ATACMS Missiles in Germany
A new MOU puts ATACMS production outside the US for the first time in 35 years, targeting up to 800 missiles a year from Rheinmetall's Unterluess plant by 2029.
News digest · May 1, 2026
April 2026 in review: Iran ceasefire, Ukraine's deadliest month
A two-week Iran ceasefire halted the Middle East air war while Ukraine logged its worst civilian toll since July 2025 and NATO, Space Force, and the Navy all advanced major procurement moves.