Poland May Manufacture A Version Of Lockheed Martin's HIMARS Rocket System

Polish Armament Group (PGZ) has selected Lockheed Martin for further talks on using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for Poland's Homer program.

The highly mobile platform delivers accurate, lethal, quick-strike munitions ranging from 15 to 300 kilometers, the company announced Friday.

HIMARS, which is the newest member of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launcher family, carries a single six-pack of rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile on the Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) 5-ton truck, and can launch the entire MLRS family of munitions.

It was combat-tested in Operation Iraqi Freedom. HIMARS is C-130 transportable and can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to heavier launchers. It also incorporates the self-loading, autonomous features.

The HIMARS fire control system, electronics and communications units are interchangeable with the existing MLRS M270A1 launcher, and the crew and training are the same.

The cooperation will help Poland develop its own defense industry and modernize its military with technology transfers and modernized production facilities, Lockheed Martin announced on Friday.