Ukrainian brigade's precision strike with lethal tungsten rockets
Ukrainians from the 54th Mechanized Brigade managed to inflict serious losses on the Russians by attacking a training ground using two GMLRS rockets. Let's explore the capabilities of these "rain-of-death" rockets from the USA.
The Ukrainians have had great success using M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS systems to destroy Russian logistics and front-line training points. In the recording below, you can see an attack using two GMLRS rockets. Both explode in the air, indicating they are M30A1 variants with an Alternative Warhead that covers a significant area with a hail of tungsten balls and shrapnel.
It's worth noting that these fragments easily penetrate bulletproof vests, making the only safe place during the attack a dugout or the inside of an armored carrier. Judging by the number of dots in the impact area, the Russians suffered heavy losses in the attack.
Tungsten rain as a replacement for controversial weapons
M30A1 rockets were developed as a modern replacement for the M26 series rockets, which used cluster warheads containing DPICM bomblets. While very effective for area attacks, these warheads were controversial due to the unexploded ordnance that remains dangerous to both troops and civilians even decades after the war ends.
M30A1 rockets produced since 2015 are equipped with an Alternative Warhead that achieves area-scattering effects without leaving unexploded ordnance. This was accomplished by surrounding the explosive charge with 182,000 tungsten balls. These are ejected about 33 feet above the ground and have energy comparable to steel-core bullets fired from an AKM or AK-74 rifle.
M30A1 rockets can hit targets up to 50 miles away. A single M142 HIMARS launcher carries six rockets, while the M270 MLRS carries twice as many. A combination of satellite and inertial navigation guides these rockets. While this is a simple and cost-effective solution, GPS signal jamming can reduce their effectiveness.
