MGM-164A ATACMS QRU / ATACMS 2000

The designation MGM-164A was allocated to the Army Tactical Missile System Block II missile in the ATACMS 2000 configuration. ATACMS family of munitions is a surface-to-surface guided missile with variants containing APAM and Unitary warheads. ATACMS variants provide the all weather capability to engage targets with GPS accuracy at ranges well beyond the capability of existing cannons and rockets. ATACMS variants Block I and Block IA missiles have APAM warheads. BLK I has a range of 165 kilometers, and BLK IA has a range of 300 kilometers. QRU missiles have a Unitary 500 pound high-explosive warhead with a point-detonating fuze and a range of 270 kilometers.

Under a plan worked out by the US Army and Lockheed Martin Vought Systems, the service could save up to $200,000 per unit on the Army Tactical Missile Systemy. The ATACMS 2000 concept, which had received $2.5m in Army funding as of September 1998, seeks to redesign or purchase off-the-shelf guidance, electronic and mechanical products. The initiative was intended to lower costs by up to one-third, depending on the missile variant, according to industry estimates.

The ATACMS 2000 (T2K/M57) was designed to reduce production costs for ATACMS while delivering a single, 500-lb high explosive warhead to its target using GPS. It engages point targets with minimal collateral damage at ranges comparable to the ATACMS Block IA. The M57 variant was used successfully in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where deep strike capability was required against high payoff targets.

The ATACMS Quick Reaction Unitary (QRU/M48) delivers a single, 500-lb high explosive warhead to its target using GPS, and engages point targets with minimal collateral damage at ranges comparable to the ATACMS Block IA. The ATACMS Unitary Missile is a US Army requirement developed from lessons learned in Kosovo. It was clear that battle- field commanders needed a weapon with precise guidance and lower lethal radii to minimize collateral damage.

The ATACMS Quick-Reaction Unitary (QRU) Missile is a responsive, all-weather, long-range missile with a high-explosive, single-burst warhead. The ATACMS QRU is converted from a Block IA missile to the unitary configuration by replacing the APAM submunitions with a proven unitary warhead (470-pound SLAM/ Harpoon) and fuze. The missile has a range of 270 km and provides the Army the capability to attack high-payoff, time-sensitive targets without placing combat or support aircraft and crews at risk. Its precision accuracy, the absence of potential submunition duds and reduced lethal radii overcome collateral damage concerns. The ATACMS QRU was used effectively in OIF and was highly effective in destroying high-payoff targets in OEF.

The ATACMS QRU evolved into the ATACMS 2000 variant. ATACMS 2000 Unitary (T2KU) missiles hardware configuration has much commonality with the QRU missiles, but also has an improved Navigation and Guidance capability, all-in-view GPS receiver, an improved Control Actuator System (CAS) and Electronic Control Unit (EUC), and a more reliable, repeatable fuze. New Operational Flight Software (OFS) also allows a near vertical attack trajectory for urban target engagements.

The ATACMS 2000 reduces production costs for while delivering a single, 500-pound high explosive warhead to its target using GPS. It engages point targets with minimal collateral damage, at ranges comparable to the ATACMS Block IA. The M57 variant was used successfully in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.