Under the #MLRS Fleet Expansion initiative, US Army will modernize 350 #M270 (160 A0's & 190 A1s) MLRS to the A2 configuration featuring improved Armored Cabs, Bradley ECPs 1-3, & upgrade to Common Fire Control System. M270 A1 & A2 reduce pod reload time from 4 (A0) to 3 minutes.

Like the #HIMARS, the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System also operates with a crew of 3 (section chief, gunner and driver). Loading, and unloading M270 pods is ideally a 2-person job. With the M270A1 upgrades, the pod reload time has been reduced from 4 down to 3 minutes.

Initial Extended Range #GMLRS testing 👇 from back in 2018. Currently undergoing testing, the 150 km ranged ER-GMLRS will enter service with the US Army in late 2023.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 41st FA Brigade, offload & organize empty rocket pods in the training area of Zagan, Poland, Feb. 16, 2022. The purpose of the exercise is to test the unit's ability to transport & offload bulk shipments of ammunition to a forward AOA. (Nathaniel Gayle)

HIMARS has been designed around mobility/deployability to support expeditionary operations. It is C130 deployable (unlike M270). MFOM pods and HIMARS launcher mechanics have been designed to streamline logistics and to sustain high ops tempo as this 📹 shows #ExForager21 #Guam .

The M142 #HIMARS has an emplacement and displacement time of <3 minutes. The three person crew (gunner, driver and crew chief) can achieve a pod reload-time of 4 minutes or less. The system is capable of launching its entire payload of six Guided MLRS in about 30 seconds.

"Dynetics built 5 X61As and has flown 9 sorties totaling 18 hrs. During this test series, 1 was lost due to a power issue, where root cause was identified, confirmed and successfully implemented. 3 of the original 5 units are available for future activities" ~ Dynetics

U.S. Marines with High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platoon, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin conduct a #HIMARS rapid insert during Exercise Loobye at Bradshaw Field Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 13, 2021. (Colton K. Garrett)

Satellite imagery shows the aftermath of a Ukrainian strike against a Russian ammo depot in the area of Shakhtarsk yesterday.

2nd confirmed Ukrainian M777 155 mm howitzer in damaged condition was found in Lysychansk.

Russians continue to fortify southern front. Trucks with bunkers were recently seen.

BTR-60 armoured personnel carrier on which the Ukrainians installed the turret from the BMD-2 airborne infantry fighting vehicle.

Slovyansk region

Russian air defense active in Luhansk Oblast earlier