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| The Multiple
Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) - Unitary is shifting into low-rate
production status, with the award of $125 million contract for
rocket production. Guided MLRS Unitary integrates a 200-pound
class unitary warhead into the GMLRS rocket, giving battlefield
commanders the ability to attack targets up to 70 kilometers
away with high precision.
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This low-cost, low-risk program will greatly reduce collateral
damage by providing enhanced accuracy to ensure delivery of
the warhead to the target. Guided Unitary MLRS is the newest
variant which leverages the Guided MLRS experience and investment
to integrate a unitary warhead with a multi-mode fuze to expand
the MLRS target set to include point targets within urban and
complex environments. In January 2005, the U.S. Army issued
an Urgent Need Statement for acceleration of Guided Unitary
deliveries in support of counter fire operations. Lockheed Martin
delivered the first 72 GMLRS Unitary rockets in June 2005, satisfying
the requirements of the Urgent Need Statement. A total of 486
GMLRS Unitary rockets have been delivered to satisfy this requirement.
Improvements to the current fielded system contained in the
just completed Phase II variant included software upgrades,
new trajectory shaping modes and tri-mode fuze capability. The
multiple fuze modes include an airburst mode, which detonates
above the target point, a point detonate mode which impacts
at the target point and a delay mode which impacts below the
target point. The diversification of fuze mode options allows
the system to be effective against multiple targets while maintaining
low collateral damage.
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