GMARS fires for first time in Rheinmetall-Lockheed milestone

Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin have successfully conducted the first live firing of their jointly developed Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS), marking a significant milestone in the programme’s development.

The test, held at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, demonstrated the launcher’s ability to fire GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rockets, the same munitions used by Germany and many allied nations. The test validates GMARS’s ability to integrate with existing NATO-standard systems and contribute to joint operations across Europe and beyond.

“The successful live fire showcases the system’s precision and reliability, and we are confident that GMARS will meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Dr. Björn Bernhard, CEO Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Europe.

GMARS is designed to offer a European-built, mobile, and survivable long-range precision fires capability. The system can carry and fire two ATACMS, four PrSM, or 12 GMLRS (standard or extended range) missiles, providing the same firepower as the M270 but mounted on Rheinmetall’s HX tactical truck platform.

Lockheed Martin’s Paula Hartley, vice president and general manager of Tactical Missiles, stated: “With this milestone accomplished, we are poised to rapidly qualify and bring this capability to market.”

The programme seeks to combine Rheinmetall’s vehicle production capacity with Lockheed Martin’s combat-proven missile launch systems, offering NATO countries a European-centric launcher that complements HIMARS and M270 fleets. Interoperability with these systems is a core feature.

Rheinmetall describes GMARS as capable of “launching current and future state-of-the-art long-range and extended-long-range rocket fire missions,” with flexibility for integration across allied platforms and ammunition stocks.

The companies now aim to proceed to qualification and operational deployment of the system, positioning GMARS as a viable addition to NATO and allied forces seeking mobile deep fires options built within Europe.