The Australian Department of Defense has released a video showing footage of the launch of an MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missile. The launch was carried out during the Talisman Sabre 2023 exercise, in which the US and Australian armed forces are taking part.
ATACMS is an operational-tactical ballistic missile for the M142 HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket system and the M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket system. It has a range of 160-300 kilometres. The launches took place at a military range where US and Australian servicemen gathered.
The ATACMS has a top speed of nearly 3,700km/h and its launch mass can range from 1,600kg to 2,300kg depending on configuration. The missile has a GPS and inertial navigation system for optimum accuracy. Moreover, the munition is capable of real-time trajectory correction during flight.
ATACMS combines high accuracy with long range and is a difficult target to intercept. This makes the ballistic missile desirable for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which have both the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS.
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