The M270 MLRS has proved to be a very useful long range multiple rocket system. Possibly because of such success, many in the West have ignored the potential of shorter ranged multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) for smaller formations.
Potent weapon though the rocket for the M270 is, its minimum range of 10,000 m precludes its use by forward manoeuvrer elements so is usually used as a corps or divisional weapon.
I have often thought that each battery of self-propelled guns or howitzers should also include a couple of vehicles mounting MRLs. These would have rockets of a similar range to the tube artillery they accompany, and would offer the battery commander the option of deploying sustained or saturation fire as he sees fit.
An argument can be made that MRL systems should be in the majority.
Some modern systems are being offered with trajectory correction systems that are claimed to give them an accuracy equal to tube artillery.
Terminal guidance systems for unitary rounds are also likely to see increased use for precision strike against point targets.
Many Russian motor rifle brigades have a battery of MRLs in addition to a battalion of SPHs. Whether pairs of launchers are attached to the howitzer batteries I don't know, but the potential is there. Even of this is not done, the presence of these launchers greatly increases the indirect firepower available to the brigade commander.
There are numerous medium range MRLs that are available “off the shelf” and with a performance complimentary to 155mm field artillery.
These include.
The possibility of creating rockets from 155mm shells has also been discussed under the topic of Indirect ARA. There are precedents for this. The World War Two “Land Mattress” system was built by mating the motors of 3" ground to air rockets with 5" naval gun shells.
One launcher was claimed to deliver as much explosive as a whole a battery of medium guns.
The 160mm rockets can use submunitions designed for 155mm howitzers.
The use of a smaller calibre rocket than the M26 allows a greater number of rounds to be fired from each launcher, increasing target saturation.
It is possible that medium range rockets could be produced that are compatible with the current M270 MRLS and HIMARS launchers.
The M270 vehicle can carry a pair of rocket packs containers (RPCs) holding six 227mm rockets, often known as “six packs”.
Each rocket weighs around 306 kg and the six pack has a total weight of around 2,308 kg.
The HIMARS vehicle can carry one such six pack.
The mounting for the rocket packs includes an extendable boom which is used to lift the rocket pack into position for loading.
The vehicle has a crew of three but if necessary the system can be operated by a single man.
In place of each six pack a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS or Army TACMS) can be loaded instead.
Logically, it should also be possible for the launcher mount to also be capable of holding a rocket pod containing a greater number of smaller calibre rockets.
A conservative estimate would be that each pack could take 54 2.75" FFAR in a 9 x 6 array.
Other possible loads would be 24 (6 x 4) 107mm (Chinese Type 63, Mechem RO-107, Turkish MKEK or Roketsan), 15 (5 x 3) 122mm or 127mm (Russian Grad, Brazilian SBAT-127, South African SOMCHEM Valkiri) or 8 (4 x 2) 160mm (Israeli IMI LAR or FAMAE/RO Rayo).
There are obvious advantages to initially using existing designs of rocket that are already in service, many of which have been used for several decades.
The Taiwanese Thunderbolt‑2000 system can fire 117mm, 180mm and 227mm (eg M270) rockets.
The Romanian LAROM vehicle can use either GRAD 122mm rockets or 160mm LAR rockets.
In addition to the truck-based HIMARS and the Bradley-based M270, a launcher based on the M113 should be possible, creating an air-transportable all-terrain system.
As well as the medium systems described above, there is also a requirement for lighter systems that can either be towed by or mounted on light vehicles.
Good examples of just such a system are the Russian RPU-14, the Chinese Type 63 107mm and 130mm systems and the South African Mechem RO107 systems.
Such weapon systems are ideal for airborne units, quick reaction and rapid deployment forces and raider units.
The South African version of the Type 63 is fitted with a UHF proximity fuse and 80% of rounds fired to maximum range are claimed to fall within a 150 x 200 m area. Lethal area for each rocket given as 120 square metres.
Each rocket weighs 19 kg and maximum range for the Mechem rocket is given as 8,500 m. Minimum range is 1.5 km.
107mm rockets made by some other companies claim a range in excess of 10 km.
Range of the 107mm rocket compliments the performance of most 120mm mortars.
In the Chinese Army, 107mm launchers are under the control of infantry regiments to provide a short‑range, intensive area firepower.
Several designs of single-tube launcher are also available for quasi‑guerilla operations. It would not surprise me if a variant of this rocket that could be launched directly from its transport container in the manner of the Wurfger