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US Army seeks 133,000 GMLRS rockets by 2034
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The U.S. Army issued a Sources Sought notice requesting manufacturing of 133,014 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets by 2034. The timeline requires production of 19,002 rockets per year from 2028 to 2034, with first deliveries starting in February 2030. Current manufacturer Lockheed Martin is already expanding capacity to 14,000 rockets annually, but the new plan demands a nearly 36% increase. The munitions, launched from M270 and HIMARS systems, have been heavily used in Ukraine, depleting U.S. stockpiles. The Army seeks cost-effective production methods, noting past manufacturing failures for 155mm shells. A shortage of solid rocket motors further complicates replenishment efforts.
Source report
Amid ongoing concerns over munitions stockpiles, the U.S. Army has issued a call to significantly ramp up production of ground-launched rockets.
The service released a Sources Sought notice this week requesting the manufacture of 133,014 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets by 2034. Contractors have until September 1 to submit white papers outlining their plans to meet the quota.
Production Timeline and Requirements
- Annual production target: 19,002 rockets per year from 2028 to 2034
- First deliveries: Scheduled to begin in February 2030
According to the notice, the scope of the contract includes:
- Production
- Tooling
- Engineering change proposals
- Supporting activities for GMLRS rockets, including unitary, alternative warhead (AW), and extended range (ER) variants
Capacity Challenges
Current GMLRS manufacturer Lockheed Martin announced last year that it is ramping up production capacity to 14,000 rockets annually. The Army's new plan would require a nearly 36% increase in capacity beyond that level.
"The submissions must outline the most efficient and cost-effective methods for achieving this production rate," the Army noted.
Army efforts to boost U.S. munitions production have faced setbacks, including a facility intended to manufacture components for 155mm shells that failed to produce any parts.
System Capabilities
GMLRS rockets are launched from:
- M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (armored vehicle)
- M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) (smaller, truck-mounted)
Range specifications:
- Base version: 70 kilometers
- Extended-range version: up to 150 kilometers
Stockpile and Operational Context
Lockheed Martin had delivered 75,000 GMLRS rockets to the U.S. Army by 2024, but demand remains unmet.
Originally designed as Cold War weapons for use against a hypothetical Soviet attack on Europe, U.S. multiple rocket launchers have become critical assets in the war in Ukraine. The M270, HIMARS, and their GMLRS rockets have been instrumental in enabling Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion, devastating targets such as command posts, supply depots, and troop formations.
Ukraine used HIMARS to strike a power plant inside Russia last September. However, heavy Russian jamming of the rockets' GPS guidance system has compromised some effectiveness.
Between deliveries to Ukraine and a protracted conflict with Iran, U.S. stockpiles of GMLRS and other guided munitions have been depleted. Replenishment efforts have been further complicated by a shortage of rocket motors.
About the Author
Michael Peck is a correspondent for Defense News and a columnist for the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds an M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. Contact him at mikedefense1@gmail.com or visit theuncommondefense.com.
Source
Army TimesWestern
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US Army Seeks 133,000 GMLRS Rockets by 2034 to Replenish Depleted Stockpiles