{
  "id": "m270",
  "name": "M270 MLRS",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Multiple launch rocket system",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 1983,
  "operators": [
    "BHR",
    "DEU",
    "EGY",
    "FIN",
    "FRA",
    "GBR",
    "GRC",
    "ISR",
    "ITA",
    "JPN",
    "SAU",
    "TUR",
    "USA"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 13,
  "summary": "The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher (a type of rocket artillery). Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chassis",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "M993 carrier vehicle",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Displacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Less than 5 min",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Emplacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Less than 5 min",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 6.97,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 2.97,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 25.19,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "1 x Cummins VTA-903",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 500,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "General Electric HMPT-500 hydro-mechanical; 3 forward/1 reverse range (variable ratios)",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "torsion bar, 6 dual road wheels, front drive, rear idler, 2 shock absorbers, 4 return rollers",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 64,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 483,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.10 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Westinghouse Norden FCS",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The cab is protected against small-arms fire and shell fragments by aluminum armor and louvred windows. Some U.S. M270s are equipped with a Mk 19 40-mm automatic grenade launcher on the roof.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "overpressure protection",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 60,
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "M26 (Phase I)",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Warhead": "156 kg"
      },
      "range_km": 32,
      "qty": "INA"
    },
    {
      "name": "AT2 (Phase II)",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Warhead": "107 kg"
      },
      "range_km": 40,
      "qty": "INA"
    },
    {
      "name": "GMLRS",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "range_km": 60,
      "qty": "INA"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "M270",
      "text": "is the original version, which carries a weapon load of 12 rockets in two six-pack launch pod containers. This armored, tracked mobile launcher uses a stretched Bradley chassis and has a high cross-country capability.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M270 IPDS",
      "text": "was an interim upgrade applied to a select number of launchers to provide the ability to fire the longer-range GPS-aided ATACMS Block IA, quick-reaction unitary and Block II missiles until sufficient M270A1 launchers wer",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M270A1",
      "text": "was the result of a 2005 upgrade program for the U.S. Army, and later on for several other states. The launcher appears identical to M270, but incorporates an improved fire control system (IFCS) and an improved launcher ",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M270B1",
      "text": "is a British Army upgrade, similar to the A1, but it also includes an enhanced armor package, which gives the crew better protection against IED attacks.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M270C1",
      "text": "was an upgrade proposal from Lockheed Martin involving HIMARS Universal Fire Control System (UFCS) instead of IFCS",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "MARS2 / LRU",
      "text": "is a European upgrade of M270 involving Germany, Italy and France. MARS2 is equipped with a new fire control system (EFCS - European Fire Control System) designed par Airbus Defense and Space. EFCS enables firing of M31,",
      "src": [
        "weg-m270"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tracked-launcher",
  "image": {
    "file": "m270.jpg",
    "thumb": "m270-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "SSG Richard Hart",
    "license": "Public domain",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M270_MLRS_(1984).JPEG",
    "title": "File:M270 MLRS (1984).JPEG"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Added photo (Public domain)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/m270.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-m270": {
      "title": "M270 American Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/M270_American_Multiple_Launch_Rocket_System",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}