In News:

• Russia reported that Ukraine fired six US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles at Bryansk, Russia, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
• This came after US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russian territory, easing previous restrictions on such weapons

About the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)

• Overview:
  • ATACMS is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon system designed to strike targets at much greater ranges than conventional artillery, rockets, or missiles.
  • Manufacturer: Produced by Lockheed Martin, a leading US defense contractor.
  • First Use: It was first used during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
• Key Features:
  • Guidance: ATACMS missiles are inertially guided ballistic missiles, capable of operating in all weather conditions.
  • Range: Approximately 190 miles (305 km).
  • Propulsion: It uses a single-stage, solid propellant for propulsion.
  • Launch Platforms: Fired from platforms like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
  • Payload: ATACMS missiles can carry cluster munitions, releasing hundreds of smaller bomblets over a targeted area, increasing their destructive power.
• Global Operators:Besides the US, ATACMS is also operated by countries such as Bahrain, Greece, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Why is it in the News?

The United States has confirmed providing long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine to aid its war effort against Russia.

What is the ATACMS System?

• The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) is one of the most potent missile systems built by US-based arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
• This is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon system.
• Its biggest strengths are the long-range of attack, the ability to fire cluster munitions, and the weapon system’s mobility.
• Range: There is a mid-range version of the ATACMS, called Block 1, and a long-range version, Block 1A.
  • ATACMS Block 1 has a range of 165 kilometres. Ukraine was provided these systems last year and used them to attack targets in October.
  • ATACMS Block 1A, on the other hand, has a maximum range of 300 km. However, this depends on the kind of munition the missile carries.
• With such a range, the long-range ATACMS Block 1A is capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets, and other missiles.
• Mobility: ATACMS missiles are fired from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) platforms. Both of these launching systems are highly mobile automatic systems.

Why Ukraine can’t use ATACMS to Target Russian Territories?

• Despite territories deep inside Russia now being within the range of the ATACMS, Ukraine cannot use it to hit targets in these locations.
• Ukraine has committed to only use the weapons inside Ukraine, not in Russia.
• The US administration has made it clear that the weapons cannot be used to hit targets inside Russia.
• The Biden administration is concerned that if Ukraine strikes deep into Russian territory, it will anger Moscow and escalate the conflict.