Pentagon strikes $742 million deal with Lockheed for new HIMARS arsenal

The US Department of Defence has inked a $742.1 million contract with Lockheed Martin to produce new High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), in a move that underscores Washington’s continued investment in precision-strike capabilities.

As confirmed in an official Pentagon release, the deal will cover production of the advanced rocket systems through May 31, 2027, with financing and work schedules tailored to each individual order, per Caliber.Az.

This latest agreement comes on the heels of a much larger $18.4 billion contract announced on May 1 for the construction of two Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. That deal, involving General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls, also includes funding to expand shipyard capacity as part of the broader nuclear naval modernisation effort. The Pentagon has also recently committed to developing cutting-edge electronic warfare systems for its submarine fleet.

As for HIMARS, the system—developed by Lockheed Martin and in active service since the early 2000s—has proven indispensable in modern warfare. Its ability to strike with precision, then relocate in minutes, makes it a flexible and lethal tool on today’s fast-moving battlefields. Originally deployed in the Middle East, it has more recently gained prominence in the Ukraine conflict, where its range and mobility have drawn international attention.

HIMARS can fire a variety of munitions. These include the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), with a range of up to 70 km and pinpoint accuracy; the longer-range ATACMS missile, capable of striking targets nearly 300 km away; and the next-generation Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which extends reach beyond 400 km.

Mounted on a rugged 6×6 wheeled chassis from the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, the launcher is operated by a three-person crew and can fire within minutes of arriving at a location. Each vehicle carries either six GMLRS rockets or a single ATACMS missile. Critically, HIMARS is air-transportable by C-130 aircraft, allowing for rapid deployment to the frontline or contested areas.

Its digital fire control system enables it to integrate with US joint command structures, receiving real-time targeting data from sources like drones, satellites, and forward observers, making HIMARS not just a weapon, but a key node in a modern networked battlefield.

By Tamilla Hasanova