It would be several centuries before the concept of MRLs made its way to Europe.
The FMTV 66 five-ton truck is powered by a Caterpillar 3135 ATAAC 6.6-liter diesel engine with 290 horsepower.
The entire system is operated by a crew of three, including a commander, driver and gunner.
The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fires the Army’s new guided Multiple Launch Rocket System during testing at White Sands Missile Range Photo: U.S. Army
As its name suggests, it is a mobile artillery platform that can target an enemys location.
The point of the platform, however, isnt to be around for an adversarys counter-fire.
A trained crew can reload the weapon within four to five minutes, assisted by an integrated crane.
Staff Sgt. Jordan Worcester commands a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during maneuvers with the Kansas National Guard.
The escort truck can further tow a trailer with two additional pods.
This further allows the vehicle to avoid counter-battery fire.
What the HIMARS will allow them to do is to get greater standoff.
U.S. Marines conduct checks on a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System after being unloaded from a Lockheed C-130 Hercules during training. Photo: U.S.M.C./Cpl. Ginnie Lee
In addition, the HIMARS has been used to destroy multiple bridges, slowing Russian advances.
However, it is believed not a single HIMARS has been lost in Ukraine.
M142 HIMARS Specifications
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U.S. Marines guide a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from a Lockheed C-130 Hercules during training. Photo: U.S.M.C./Cpl. Ginnie Lee
U.S. Marines assigned to Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, pose for a picture in front of an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Photo: U.S.M.C./Cpl. Jonathan L. Gonzalez
Staff Sgt. Hendrik Rijfkogel, left, gives directions while practicing loading rocket pods in the M142 HIMARS. Photo: U.S. Army
U.S. Marines with the 10th Marine Regiment load a reduced-range practice rocket in a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Photo: U.S.M.C./Lance Cpl. Megan Ozaki
U.S. Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson examines an M142 HIMARS with a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Germany, June 12, 2022. Photo: U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely
Three M142 HIMARS from 27 Field Artillery Regiment (HiMARS), 18th Field Artillery Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, fire simultaneously at Fort Bragg. Photo: U.S. Army/Sgt. Steven M. Colvin
U.S. Marines with the 2d Marine Division fire a M142 HIMARS during Exercise Rolling Thunder 22-2 on Camp Lejeune. Photo: U.S.M.C./Lance Cpl. Megan Ozaki
M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System vehicles with 181st Field Artillery Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard execute a fire mission in Poland. Photo: U.S. Army/Markus Rauchenberger
U.S. Marines with 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, fire a reduced-range practice rocket from a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Photo: U.S.M.C./Lance Cpl. Megan Ozaki
The M142 HIMARS is designed to be agile and lethal. Because of this, they are high-value targets. Photo: U.S.M.C./Cpl. Diana Jimenez
Soldiers assigned to the 113th Field Artillery Regiment return from a M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System live fire training exercise. Photo: U.S Army/Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly
U.S. Marines fire rockets from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022.Photo: U.S.M.C./Cpl. Diana Jimenez
The C-17 Globemaster III can transport M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems two abreast. Photo: U.S.A.F./Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver
