Lockheed’s Camden facility delivers HIMARS
Lockheed Martin has delivered the first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher in which both the chassis and launcher components were manufactured at its facility in Camden, Arkansas, the company announced on 26 July.
Lockheed Martin is under a US Department of Defense foreign military sales contract to produce 12 new HIMARS launchers for an unnamed international customer. Delivery of all launchers will be complete by the end of 2017.
HIMARS is a lightweight mobile launcher, transportable via C-130 and larger aircraft, that fires Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and TACMS munitions. HIMARS consists of a launcher loader module and fire-control system mounted on a standard five-tonne truck chassis. The three occupants operating the systems are protected by a specialised armoured cab.
In addition to the US Army and Marine Corps, HIMARS is also fielded internationally.
Scott Greene, VP of precision fires for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘This delivery represents a significant milestone for Lockheed Martin in that we are now producing the HIMARS five-tonne trucks from the ground up in Camden. Our award-winning Camden facility continues to produce world-class vehicles, and this latest HIMARS vehicle coming off the line is indisputable proof of that.’
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