The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, is an American short-range tactical ballistic missile fired from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, with a maximum range of up to about 300 kilometres depending on the variant. It grew out of the Joint Tactical Missile System programme begun in 1980 to replace the Lance missile. The Air Force left that programme in 1984, the Army carried it on, Ling-Temco-Vought won the design contract, and the missile entered service in 1991. Variants differ in guidance, warhead and range, from Block I rounds that scatter bomblets to unitary-warhead versions. ATACMS has been fired in combat in the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the Russo-Ukrainian War and the 2026 Iran war, and the United States is replacing it with the Precision Strike Missile.
Facts
Weapon Class
Weapon Class (category) Classification
Service Status Introduced Year Connections
Operated By
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)
Used In
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)Production, exportQuote, Production, export
Lockheed Martin has enjoyed great success on the export market
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source ATACMS (Wikipedia)Lead, originQuote, Lead, origin
is an American short-range tactical ballistic missile
Sources
1. CSIS Missile Threat: MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)
CSIS Missile ThreatLead
surface-to-surface ballistic missiles developed in the United States
ATACMS at a Glance
Status Operational In Service 1986-Present
View the Source 2. ATACMS (Wikipedia)
Production, export
Lockheed Martin has enjoyed great success on the export market
Lead, origin
is an American short-range tactical ballistic missile
Lead
ATACMS entered service in 1991
Operated By: United States Army, Operators, United States
The United States Army and United States Marine Corps are both ATACMS operators.
Operated By: United States Marine Corps, Operators, United States Marine Corps
The United States Army and United States Marine Corps are both ATACMS operators.
Operated By: Australian Army, Operators, Australia
sale to Australia of 20 M142 HIMARS launchers for the Australian Army with 10 M57 ATACMS unitary rockets
Operated By: Romanian Land Forces, Operators, Romania
The Romanian Land Forces purchased 54 M57 ATACMS
Operated By: Armed Forces of Ukraine, Operators, Ukraine
The Armed Forces of Ukraine operates ATACMS M39 Block I
Used In: Gulf War, Operation, first combat use
The ATACMS was first used in combat in 1991: 32 were fired from the M270 MLRS during Operation Desert Storm.
Used In: Iraq War, Operation, Iraq
In 2003, more than 450 were fired in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Used In: Russo-Ukrainian War, Operation, Russo-Ukrainian war
Ukraine began using the earliest (short-ranged) versions of ATACMS during the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Used In: 2026 Iran War, Operation, 2026 Iran war
The ATACMS was used in combat in the 2026 Iran war.
In Group: Ballistic Missiles of the United States, Lead, group placement
is an American short-range tactical ballistic missile
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.