Lockheed Martin & Rheinmetall unveil GMARS artillery system at Eurosatory 2024 European competitor to HIMARS

Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall debuted their joint development, the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS), at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition in Paris.

According to Caliber.Az, GMARS integrates a dual rocket launcher on the Rheinmetall HX 8x8 chassis, meeting the rising global demand for precision strikes at extended ranges.

GMARS conceptually continues the idea of HIMARS systems and Rheinmetall HX 8x8 chassis, which provides the use of ammunition with a range of 400 kilometres and can fire up to 12 missiles.

It is capable of using various types of munitions, including GMLRS with a range of up to 70 kilometres and ER GMLRS with a range of up to 150 kilometres. It can also be used to fire ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometres and even longer-range precision-guided PrSMs, hitting targets at a range of up to 400 kilometres.

It is also reported that new missiles with a range of up to 700 kilometres are being developed.

It should be noted that the development of GMARS has been heavily influenced by the way Ukraine is using its HIMARS MLRS in the war against Russian forces.

"This is one of the most effective systems in the Ukrainian armed forces," emphasises Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger.