Lockheed Martin has carried out a 112-kilometre flight test of its Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System from a HIMARS launcher at White Sands Missile Range, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The system is designed to reach 150 km, which Lockheed Martin says more than doubles the range of standard GMLRS while retaining compatibility with existing HIMARS and M270A2 launchers. According to the company, this allows longer range engagement of high value or time sensitive targets without reorganising current force structures.
Lockheed Martin argues the capability could expand missions to include suppression of air defences and effects against both point and area targets, while using launchers already in service with the United States and multiple export users.
Dave Griser, vice president for Precision Fires Rockets, said: “ER GMLRS delivers the extended range our partners need, on a platform they already trust. This successful demonstration of our Alternative Warhead variant confirms ER GMLRS can reliably deliver precision effects against both point and area targets at double the range.”
Further soldier-led tests are planned for the first half of 2026. Lockheed Martin links growing interest to demand in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, positioning the programme as a shared multinational fires capability, according to the company.
Thats top notch, are we ever going to order any?
That’s a rhetorical question, most of you will know the answer.
Maybe we’ll fund some for Ukraine
The Question will be one of the unit cost Vs the projects taking place in the UK for “cheap cruise missiles” and BM.
Orders will be delayed whilst systems are evaluated at a snails pace.
First, decide the point/purpose of the British Army over the next 20 years. Second, provide the weapons to achieve that purpose.
We haven’t got past ‘First’ yet. I for one can’t think what it is.
James, you have quite taken my breath away. I had no idea anyone would not know what our army is for. The role and purpose of the British Army is continually stated and restated in SDRs/SDSRs, Integrated Reviews, Defence Command Papers and Defence White Papers, and now DIPs. The lastest of all those documents is SDR 2025 published OS on 2nd June this year. It states the info you require in Ch3 and in more detail from pages 108, of which an extract is:
“The role of the British Army
4. The purpose of the British Army,
in support of the roles for UK Defence
set out in Chapter 3, is to:
• Role 1: Defend, protect, and
enhance the resilience of the UK,
its Overseas Territories, and Crown
Dependencies: contributing to national
defence and resilience plans through
an enhanced Standing Joint Command
(UK) and its nationwide network of Joint
Military Commanders. In war, additional
capabilities will be required to support
the protection of critical national
infrastructure (Chapter 6).
• Role 2: Deter and defend in the
Euro-Atlantic: providing one of two
Strategic Reserve Corps to NATO,
in line with NATO’s Regional Plans,
ready to deploy rapidly from the UK
to anywhere in the Euro-Atlantic
area. The Army must also sustain
its contribution to NATO’s forward
presence in Estonia and Poland.
• Role 3: Shape the global security
environment: delivering essential
‘train, advise, assist, and accompany’
missions with key allies and partners
that unlock the greatest benefit in
delivering Defence’s core roles.
Further fine details should be obtained in the DIP published sometime from 5th Jan. No government ‘crystal ball gazes’ into the next 20 years. These reviews are every 4 or 5 years.
Well that’s the first time I’ve taken anyone’s breath away since 1972!
I’m guessing you are being ironic, although my irony button has never been my best feature.
I do not think we should buy any kit off of the Yanks unless there are no other options as they have shown to be unreliable.Much better to develop systems with fellow members of E-NATO or even dare i say it produce our own
You mean like we’re already doing?…
Project Nightfall, Project Brakestop, Anglo-French Stratus, Anglo-German deep precision strike missile, etc, etc
Yes thats exactly what i mean Spock
Any more progress with Land Precision Strike? There should really have been test firings by now…