American multiple launch rocket systems HIMARS helped the Armed Forces destroy hundreds of Russian headquarters and ammunition depots after only a month of use . However, these are not the only Western MLRS that the Ukrainian army has received or may receive.
As part of Ukraine's strategic partnership with the United States and allies, friends of Ukraine have started talking about providing German Mars II multiple launch rocket systems. In fact, this is an analogue of the M270, but improved and has a lot of innovations.
A powerful vehicle to destroy the enemy< /h3>
The main developers of Mars II were engaged in the German company KMW. Their engineers created a MLRS designed for:
- destruction of enemy manpower;
- artillery batteries;
- command posts;
- ammunition depots;
- even if necessary, you can remotely mine the area.
Capable of going almost everywhere
The vehicle itself was built on the basis of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. It has a tracked chassis, so it easily overcomes most of the obstacles that can happen on the front.
Almost a meter wall is not a problem. Ditches almost 2.5 meters wide are also easy. A meter ford is absolutely no problem.
In addition, Mars II can also overcome an embankment at an angle of 30 degrees. The cross-country ability of this vehicle is good, considering that this is a MLRS, and not a tank or armored car, specially designed for such tasks.
Mars II can overcome any obstacles/Screenshot from BW video
Tactical and technical characteristics of Mars
The dimensions of this system are rather big. The height of the MLRS is just over 2.5 meters, the width is almost 3 meters, and the length reaches almost 7 meters.
At the same time, it also weighs a lot – more than 26.5 tons. There are three people in the crew – commander, driver and gunner.
MLRS characteristics/Channel 24 infographics
In one minute, this system fires a volley of 12 missiles. They are placed in two launch containers along 6 missiles each. The platforms themselves rotate, but they are disposable. After a volley, reloading is required in the form of two new containers. All mechanisms necessary for this process are on the same platform. This means that to change rockets, no additional equipment is required, except for the containers themselves.
The digital fire control system allows for aimed fire at a distance of up to 70 km. And this despite the fact that a volley can be fired with different missiles. Mars II can operate as communicative-fragmentation warheads – they have homing systems – or cluster warheads (at a distance of up to 40 kilometers). , nor their vehicles or warehouses – no chance of survival.
Mars II speed and accuracy
In total, this system supports 7 different projectiles. Ranging from training missiles with a range of up to 9 km to ballistic missiles that hit targets at a distance of 300 km.
The cost of one launcher starts from nearly 2.5 million dollars.< /strong>It all depends on the configuration and missiles that will be used with this system.
What Mars II MLRS look like/Video screenshot
By the way, Mars II is also quite fast to set up:
- alarm time is 2 minutes. Automated systems help with this targeting and automatic detection of MLRS navigation in space. All that remains for the operator is to open fire.
- reload time is only 5 minutes. This is a good indicator, as for a weapon whose reloading requires the complete replacement of two launch containers.
Thanks to Ukraine's strategic partnership with the United States and allies, our Armed Forces have been able to hit key enemy targets with incredible accuracy and a safe distance for themselves. Mars II will be an ideal addition to existing systems in this case. And the more such weapons are in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the sooner they will be able to defeat the enemy in this difficult battle.
