What is ATACMS Missile? Know All About US-made Long-Range Missile Used by Ukraine to Strike Russia

On November 19, 2024, the Ukrainian army took a major tactical action and launched 6 US-made ATACMS missiles towards the Bryansk region of Russia.

ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System Missile) is a family of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the United States, mainly used for precision strikes against high-value targets.

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Designed and built by Lockheed Martin, the ATACMS missile is known for its range, accuracy and versatility in military operations.

This marks a critical moment in the ongoing conflict, as it is the first time Ukraine has used these long-range missiles against Russian territory.

Source: This Week

The attack came two days after the Biden administration authorized its use in operations outside Ukraine, a decision that reflects a strategic shift in U.S. military support.

The targeted attack targeted a military installation in Bryansk, with reports that Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted five of the missiles.

However, one missile was damaged, causing debris to spark a small fire at the site, but no casualties were reported. The development highlights Ukraine’s growing military capabilities and its need to disrupt Russian supply lines and troop movements.

Ukrainian officials have long advocated the use of ATACMS missiles to bolster counteroffensive operations.

The U.S. government’s authorization comes amid growing concerns about North Korea increasing its military support for Russia, underscoring the urgency for Ukraine to bolster its defenses and regain occupied territory in the long-running conflict.

What’s next:

What is an ATACMS missile?

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the United States and is designed to carry out precision strikes against high-value targets.

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Created and produced by Lockheed Martin, the ATACMS missile is known for its long range, accuracy and adaptability in a variety of military operations.

Development of ATACMS began in the 1980s as part of a U.S. Army program to replace older missile systems with more advanced guided munitions capable of attacking enemy positions behind the front lines.

Officially designated ATACMS in 1984, the system has been developed through various design stages to meet the requirements of the modern battlefield.

Main features

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a complex tactical ballistic missile system with several distinctive features that enhance its combat effectiveness. The following are detailed characteristics of the ATACMS missile:

1. Range variants:

ATACMS comes in different models with different ranges. The early MGM-140A Block I had a range of about 165 kilometers (about 100 miles), while the later MGM-164A Block II had a range of up to 300 kilometers (about 186 miles). This extended range allows for deep strikes against enemy targets beyond the range of conventional artillery.

2. Warhead options:

ATACMS missiles can be equipped with different types of warheads according to mission requirements. Key options include:

• Single warhead: Designed for precision strikes against high-value targets such as command centers and air defense systems, carrying a single high-explosive charge.
• Cluster munitions: These warheads contain multiple smaller submunitions (such as M74 bomblets) that are dispersed over a target area, making them effective against troop concentrations and logistics centers.

3. Advanced guidance system:

ATACMS uses an advanced guidance system integrating Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) technology. This combination improves accuracy by providing real-time position data, ensuring the missile hits its intended target with minimal collateral damage.

4. High speed:

ATACMS missiles can fly at Mach 3, about 3,700 kilometers per hour (about 2,300 miles per hour). This high speed allows them to reach their targets quickly and complicates interception by enemy air defense systems.

5. Launch platform:

These missiles can be launched from a variety of platforms, including the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). These platforms provide deployment flexibility and fast reload capabilities.

6. Operational flexibility:

The ATACMS missile is designed for use in a variety of operational environments and is capable of firing in nearly all-weather conditions (day and night). This flexibility is critical for modern military operations where conditions change rapidly.

7. Payload capacity:

ATACMS payloads vary by model, but typically include a single warhead weighing between 160 kilograms and 560 kilograms (approximately 350 and 1,230 pounds). This can provide powerful explosive power depending on mission requirements.

8. Flight altitude:

During flight, ATACMS typically reaches an altitude of approximately 50 to 65 kilometers (30 to 40 miles). This altitude helps the missile avoid many surface-to-air defense systems while maintaining precision strike accuracy.

9. Saturation capacity:

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Variants equipped with cluster munitions can cover the area of ​​multiple submunitions when detonated, making them effective against dispersed enemy troops or equipment over a wide area.

10.Stealth features:

The ATACMS design includes features that reduce radar cross-section, making it more difficult for enemy radar systems to detect and track the missile during launch and flight.

Latest news

In November 2024, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles to strike within Russia.

This marks a major policy shift that would allow Ukraine to directly target Russian military assets, which had previously been restricted due to concerns about escalating the conflict.

Ukraine’s first confirmed use of the missiles came shortly after this policy change, signaling their strategic importance in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

ATACMS missile functions

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a tactical ballistic missile designed to conduct precision strikes against high-value targets. Here’s how it works:

• Launch phase: The missile is launched from a platform such as a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) or a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). During this stage, the missile’s solid rocket motor propels it into the atmosphere.
• Mid-course phase: After reaching the designated altitude, the missile enters the mid-course phase and follows the ballistic trajectory. At this point, it has no power and is guided primarily by gravity and its initial velocity.
• Final phase: As the missile approaches its target, it re-enters the atmosphere and accelerates toward the target at high speed, making it difficult for enemy defense systems to intercept.

ATACMS is equipped with advanced guidance systems, often using GPS technology, which improves its accuracy against fixed targets such as command posts, ammunition depots and logistics centers.

ATACMS missile cost

The estimated cost of each ATACMS missile ranges from $1 million to $1.5 million, depending on the specific model and configuration. This price reflects the complexity of the missile system and its advanced technical features, including precision guidance capabilities.

ATACMS missile speed

ATACMS missiles can reach speeds of up to Mach 3, or about 3,704 kilometers per hour (about 2,300 miles per hour). To put this into perspective, think about how fast commercial airplanes fly.

The cruising speed of most passenger aircraft is about 900 kilometers per hour (about 560 miles per hour). So when you compare the two, ATACMS missiles are over four times faster than a typical aircraft!

To visualize it better, imagine you are driving a car on the highway at 100 km/h (approximately 62 mph). When you’re cruising, ATACMS missiles will zip by you just as if you were standing still!

This high speed helps them effectively evade enemy air defenses as they eventually descend to their target.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion