| M270: General | |||
| Date of first acceptance | 1982 | Total acceptances | 857 |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control | Crew |
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| M270: Dimensions | |||
| Combat weight | 52,990lbs 24,040kg |
Height with launcher stowed | 102" 259cm |
| Length | 274.5" 697.2cm |
Width | 117" 297cm |
| Tread | 96" 240cm |
Ground clearance | 17" 43cm |
| Ground pressure, zero penetration | 7.4psi .52kg/cm² |
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| M270: Armament | |||||
| Type | Mount | Traverse | Max traverse rate | Elevation | Max elevation rate |
| 12 M26 rockets --OR-- 2 M39 ATACMS missiles |
Rocket launcher M269 | 194° left or right from stowed position | 5°/sec | +60° max | .84°/sec |
| M270: Armor | ||
| Assembly | ||
| Welding | ||
| Cab | ||
| 7039 aluminum armor | ||
| Hull | ||
| 5083 aluminum armor |
| M270: Automotive | |||||
| Engine | Cummins VTA-903T; 8 cylinder, 4 cycle, vee, turbosupercharged diesel | ||||
| Horsepower | Gross: 500@2,600 rpm | Torque | Gross: 1,025 ft-lb@2,350rpm | Fuel capacity | 163gal 617L |
| Transmission | General Electric HMPT-500 hydromechanical, automatic range selection | ||||
| Steering | Hydrostatic, steering yoke | ||||
| Brakes | Multiple plate, oil cooled | ||||
| M270: Suspension | ||
| Type | Road wheels | Track return rollers |
| Torsion bar | 6 individually sprung dual/track | 2 dual/track, 2 single/track |
| Drive sprockets | Idlers | Shock absorbers | 11-tooth front drive | Dual adjustable at rear of track | On first 2 and last road wheels/track |
| M270: Track | |||||||
| Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad | |||||||
| Width | 21" 53cm |
Pitch | 6" 15cm |
Shoes/track | Left side: 89 Right side: 88 |
Ground contact length | 170.5" 433.1cm |
| M270: Performance | |||
| Max level road speed | 40mph 64kph |
Max trench | 91.2" 232cm |
| Max grade | 60% | Max vertical obstacle | 30" 76cm |
| Min turning diameter | Pivot | Max fording depth | 40" 100cm |
| Cruising range | ~300mi, roads ~480km, roads |
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The M993 carrier for the MLRS is based on components of the M2 and M3 Bradley fighting vehicles. The ground contact length was extended, and the road wheels were grouped in three pairs. An extra return roller was added as well. The cab was provided with armored glass windows, and these were covered with armored shutters. The engine is located under the cab, and the cab can be pivoted to the front to allow access to the powerpack components. The carrier vehicle was provided with an NBC overpressure system. The first, fifth, and sixth road wheels stations were provided with a lock-out feature for use during firing and reloading. The rocket launcher loader module, designed by the Vought Corporation, holds two pods, with either six 227mm M26 rockets or one Army tactical missile system each. The rocket or missile pods are loaded via integral booms and hoists. The booms can reach out 15'4" (467cm) at a max rate of 5.98"/sec (15.2cm/sec) and the hoists can lift 8'4" (254cm) at up to 2.99"/sec (7.59cm/sec).
The M270A1 incorporates upgrades in the fire control system and mechanical launch system. The M270A1 will also fire extended-range rockets. M270A1s were first fielded in September 2000.
The M26 rockets carry payloads of bomblets or mines, including 644 M77 submunitions, 26 AT2 antitank mines, or six SADARM submunitions, and have a range of ~32km (~20mi). The first M39 ATACMS were accepted in March 1990. These have a range of ~100km (~60mi) and carry a payload of M74 or BAT submunitions. Without the removable skids, each six-rocket launch pod/container loaded with M77 warheads is 158" (401cm) long, 41" (105cm) wide, 28" (71cm) tall, and weighs 5,005lb (2,270kg).
