- The British Army’s M270A1 fleet is being upgraded by US defence prime Lockheed Martin
- The A2 variant offers an improved fire control system to operate extended range guided multiple launch rockets
- Additional upgrades include a more powerful engine and rebuilt transmission to aid vehicle performance
In mid-October the British Army received the two upgraded M270A2 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) as part of a wider plan to recapitalise the service’s long-range indirect fire capability.
Following handover, the launchers were dispatched to the US’ White Sands missile test range where they were set to undertake trials. US defence prime Lockheed Martin is tasked with upgrading A1 variants of the M270 to the A2 standard.
A total of 61 M270A2 MLRS and eight repair and recovery variants (RRV) will be delivered over the coming years to the British Army. Currently, the service has 44 MLRS and 4 RRVs in its inventory.
In addition, a total of 37 additional M270s have been acquired by the UK from other nations who are currently in the process of disposing of surplus launchers. It was reported in September 2022 that the UK was seeking to acquire additional launchers from allies, including mothballed vehicles in museums or acting as gate guards.
Included in those were MLRS launchers promised by Norway to the UK followed the latter country’s donation of three systems to Ukraine. The three Norwegian MLRS were known to require significant modernisation in order to bring them into an in-service state.
British Army: M270 MLRS
The significant increase in M270 numbers in British Army service is much needed for the service’s long-range fires, which have been decimated followed the donation of its entire AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH) fleet to Ukraine.
An interim buy of a 14 Archer 155mm SPH from Sweden looked to plug part of the capability gap, which still loomed large with the planned RCH 155 development with Germany still years away from delivering a platform into UK service.
With the build-up of M270 MLRS in the British Army, it is possible that the service will find itself in a stronger position with its indirect fires than had previously been considered.
It was previously reported by Army Technology in 2022 that the UK was to initially upgrade nine of its M270 MLRS fleet to the A2 variant in a $32m process.
Entering service in 1990, the British Army’s recapitalised M270s are now expected to remain operational until at least 2050.
