US Army seeks 133,000 GMLRS rockets by 2034 amid stockpile concerns

Published Aug 18, 01:06 PM UTC

The U.S. Army issued a Sources Sought notice on August 18, 2026, requesting manufacturing of 133,014 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets by 2034. The plan requires production of 19,002 rockets per year from 2028 to 2034, with first deliveries in February 2030. This represents a 36% increase over Lockheed Martin's current capacity of 14,000 rockets annually. The munitions include unitary, alternative warhead, and extended-range variants. The request comes amid depleted U.S. stockpiles due to deliveries to Ukraine and conflict with Iran, and follows previous manufacturing difficulties with 155mm shell production. GMLRS rockets, launched from M270 and HIMARS systems, have been critical in Ukraine's defense against Russia, though Russian GPS jamming has reduced some effectiveness. The Army seeks cost-effective production methods, with contractor white papers due by September 1.