The US Armed force MGM-140 ATACMS complex is capable of hitting Moscow from Ukraine.
The operational-tactical missile system MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) of the US army, if deployed in Ukraine near its northern borders with Russia, can strike Moscow , writes the American edition of The Drive.
“The maximum operating range of ATACMS is about 310 miles (about 499 kilometers – approx. ), and the shortest distance between Moscow and the Ukrainian border is about 280 miles (about 450 kilometers – approx )”, – says the publication.
The publication calls the MGM-140 ATACMS the only ground-based weapon in service with NATO, which is capable of hitting the Russian capital from Ukrainian territory. The Drive notes that the alliance’s plans to deploy such complexes in Ukraine are currently unknown.
In November, Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Russia Calling! Investment forum VTB Capital expressed the hope that the situation with Ukraine will not come to the appearance of red lines. “If some kind of shock complexes appear on the territory of Ukraine, the flight time to Moscow will be 7-10 [minutes], and in the case of placing hypersonic weapons – 5 minutes. What are we to do? Then we will have to create something similar in relation to those who threaten us so. Can you imagine? And we can do it now, ”said the head of state.
The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a surface-to-surface missile (SSM) manufactured by the U.S. defense company Lockheed Martin. It has a range of over 100 miles (160 km), with solid propellant, and is 13 feet (4.0 m) high and 24 inches (610 mm) in diameter. The ATACMS can be fired from multiple rocket launchers, including the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). An ATACMS launch container has a lid patterned with six circles like a standard MLRS rocket lid.
ATACMS Variants
- MGM-140A ATACMS Block I: Original model with 165 km range, inertial navigation and 950 M74 anti-personnel and anti-materiel (APAM) grenades.
- MGM-140B ATACMS Block IA: Extended range model with 300 km with GPS guidance and range reduced payload of 275 M74 APAM grenades.
- MGM-164A ATACMS Block II: Extended range model with 13 Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) guided submunitions. Was briefly known as MGM-140C, with improved Block IIA model named MGM-140D. The BAT program was cancelled in 2003.
- MGM-168A ATACMS Block IVA: Standard range model with unitary warhead and GPS guidance. Was briefly known as MGM-140E. Operational since 2002.