Lockheed Martin has delivered the 750th HIMARS launcher to the US Army. The delivery has come on schedule as part of an urgent production ramp, doubling annual production output from 48 to 96 launchers and positioning the program to meet accelerated demand that supports a US $2.9 billion (approx. AU $4.43 billion) contract portfolio.
“HIMARS embodies what modern fires demand – reliability, accuracy and survivability,” Vice President, Lockheed Martin Precision Fires Launchers and Missiles, Carolyn Orzechowski, said.
The HIMARS platform has become a part of the US Army’s long-range precision fires (LRPF) strategy, providing this strike capability to over 14 allied nations.
“Speed matters—not only on the battlefield but on the factory floor,” Lockheed Martin site director, Adam Bailey, stated.
“Our diligent approach to production lets us innovate and deliver critical systems to the warfighter faster and more efficiently.”
In January 2023, the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA) announced the purchase of twenty HIMARS and associated hardware, under Land 8113-Phase 1. In August 2023, the CoA had announced the purchase of an additional tranche of launchers and associated hardware - a final total of 42 HIMARS.
“HIMARS is indeed a game changer…750 is an accomplishment. It's a milestone. I'm looking forward to the next 750 because the Army needs this capability,” US Army program manager for Strategic and Operational Rockets & Missiles, Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space, Ron Holliday, commented.
According to Lockheed Martin, the first eight launchers for the Australian Army have been delivered early and on-budget with further deliveries expected in 2026.
In December 2024, Lockheed Martin was announced as one of two preferred options to satisfy requirements outlined under Land 8113-Phase 2 – Second Long-Range Fires Regiment.
Lockheed Martin is proposing an additional tranche of HIMARS launchers with PrSM Increment 2 to provide an anti-access/area denial capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). A decision related to an additional long-range fires regiment is expected in 2026.