Lockheed Martin delivers first HIMARS vehicle produced 100 percent in Arkansas

The Lockheed Martin HIMARS chassis is being manufactured for the first time at the company's Camden, Ark., production center.

Lockheed Martin, Dallas, has delivered the first high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) launcher in which both the chassis and launcher components were manufactured at its facility in Camden, Ark. In the past the HIMARS five-ton chassis were government-furnished equipment.

The company under a U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales contract to produce 12 new HIMARS launchers for an international customer. Delivery of all launchers under the contract will be completed by the end of 2017.

HIMARS is a lightweight mobile launcher, transportable via C-130 and larger aircraft for rapid deployment, that fires guided MLRS and TACMS munitions. HIMARS consists of a launcher loader module and fire-control system mounted on a standard 5-ton truck chassis. A specialized armored cab provides additional protection to the three occupants who operate the system. In addition to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, HIMARS is also fielded internationally.