The United States has officially announced that it will give Ukraine long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to support its combat effort against Russia. The confirmation follows the US Congress’s passage of a package on April 23 allocating $61 billion in assistance for Ukraine.
How does the ATACMS system work?
According to Lockheed Martin, the ATACMS is a conventional surface-to-surface artillery weapon system that can hit targets far beyond the reach of current Army cannons, rockets, and other missiles.
The range is 300 kilometres at most. The ATACMS system has been provided before, albeit with somewhat lesser ranges of about 160 kilometres. This is noteworthy. The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270 platforms, which the US and the UK previously gave to Ukraine, are the launchers of ATACMS missiles.
The ATACMS’s capabilities
One of the most powerful missile systems produced by US-based Lockheed Martin is the ATACMS. This weapon system is for surface-to-surface artillery. Its main advantages are its long-range attack capability, cluster munition firing capability, and weapon system mobility.
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Range
The ATACMS is available in two versions: Block 1A, which is the long-range version, and Block 1, which is the mid-range version. ATACMS Block 1 has a range of 165 kilometres. These systems were sent to Ukraine last year, and in October, they were used to assault targets.
However, ATACMS Block 1A’s maximum range is 300 km. This, however, depends on the type of weaponry the missile is transporting. Its range is reduced to about 270 kilometres if it is carrying a single warhead, which can weigh up to 160 kilograms. Nonetheless, it may strike a target up to 300 kilometres away if it is outfitted with submunitions or cluster munitions.
Given its range, the long-range ATACMS Block 1A can strike targets much beyond the reach of current Army rockets, cannons, and other missiles.
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Cluster munitions
These are made up of a dispenser with submunitions placed therein. Typically, submunitions consist of grenades or weapons weighing less than 20 kg each. Submunitions are discharged from the dispenser above the target, dispersing as they descend. Compared to a single, focused explosion, the explosion produced by cluster munitions covers a far wider area.
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Mobility
The ATACMS missiles are fired from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which are both extremely mobile automatic devices. The HIMARS is perfect for “shoot and scoot” missions since it can be reloaded in minutes. In less than a minute, the MLRS can fire twelve surface-to-surface missiles.
Why is the ATACMS important?
Zelenskyy has often stated that long-range missiles are necessary. According to reports, the US was reluctant to supply these missiles because of worries that intensifying operations against Russia would lead to a potential war escalation.
Russia achieved a significant win in February 2024 when it took control of the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka in the east. In contrast, Zelenskyy has consistently asked for assistance from the US and Europe, and Russia’s armed forces vastly exceed those of Ukraine. For the most part, US President Joe Biden has backed aid to Ukraine.
