What does «MGM-140 ATACMS» mean in Spanish?
- Developed by the U.S. Army to be fired from M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) or M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, the MGM-140 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) is a short- to medium-range ballistic missile. Carrying a high-explosive unitary warhead or dual-purpose cluster submunitions, it replaced the MGM-52 Lance, a missile assigned to corps-level support with nuclear warheads. When the Lance missiles reached the end of their service life and precision-guided munitions replaced tactical nuclear weapons, a replacement was needed. The ATACMS is now in its fourth version. 32 of the "A" version were used in Operation DESERT STORM, as a long-range weapon, responding directly to ground commanders, to attack high-value targets such as missile sites and command posts, beyond the range of gun artillery such as the M109 howitzer. This missile had a range of 100mi/165km with moderately accurate inertial guidance; the guidance limitation essentially required the zonal effect of cluster submunitions. It linked to command and control through the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System. Accuracy increased significantly with the "B" model, which added GPS. With the increased accuracy, the warhead size was reduced, but the range increased to 185mi/300km. This version entered service in 1998.