In a development that could significantly expand the reach of American firepower, Lockheed Martin has aced a recent test of its Extended Range (ER) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile, the company announced last Thursday, March 7.
ER GMLRS: Twice the Range, Twice the Precision
Lockheed Martin, that titan of the skies and defense, just cranked the dial on its rocket game, turning what was already a mean piece of hardware into something that’ll make the bravest of the brave sit up and take notice.
Out in the wilds of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, they let loose the beast: an upgraded GMLRS missile with the flight to go twice as far as its brothers in arms.
In a display that would’ve made any firework show look like a candle in the wind, two Extended-Range (ER) GMLRS rockets blasted off from the US Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher, hitting their mark with the kind of precision that sends a clear message.
They kept the juicy details of the flight under wraps, but the word on the street is that this test wasn’t just for show.
Stretching the Battlefield
The old guard GMLRS could punch out to 70 kilometers (about 43 miles for those who don’t talk metric), but this new breed stretches its legs all the way to 150 kilometers (that’s 93 miles, in case you’re wondering), opening up a whole new playground for the folks with their fingers on the trigger.
All-Weather Warrior with Precision Strike
This ER GMLRS is no fair-weather friend, either.
It’s an all-season, ground-hugging missile system that prioritizes precision, making it a go-to choice for modern warfare, where hitting the mark the first time isn’t just nice; it’s necessary.
It plays nice with the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270 launchers and the HIMARS platform, making it as versatile as it is deadly.
Innovation Takes Flight
Here’s where it gets interesting.
This extended-play version comes with a beefier motor and a slick tail-driven control that lets it dance in the sky, making it not just longer-legged but more agile and accurate. It’s like giving a racehorse wings.
Jay Price, a big shot over at Lockheed Martin, couldn’t help but boast about this latest test run, saying it’s proof positive that the ER GMLRS is ready for prime time.
He talked up its range, its cost-effectiveness, and its bullseye-busting precision, painting a picture of a weapon system that’s about to change the game.
ER GMLRS (Image source: Lockheed Martin)
A Long Road to Extended Range
Lockheed Martin’s been at this game for a while, tweaking and tuning the GMLRS since it first hit the scene in the late ’90s.
This rocket’s always been a reliable ally, ready to rain down on anyone, anywhere, no matter the weather.
But this latest iteration, the ER GMLRS, is the result of a labor of love that started back in 2018, with the goal of pushing its reach without losing that touch of accuracy that’s become its signature.
With a motor that’s got more grunt and a tail that lets it swerve through the air like it’s dodging traffic, the ER GMLRS stands as a testament to what happens when you refuse to settle for “good enough.”
The recent test fire was more than just a trial; it was a declaration that the future of long-range precision strikes isn’t on the horizon—it’s here.
