Australia tests HIMARS littoral manoeuvrability

The Australian Army demonstrated HIMARS' littoral manoeuvrability during trials. (Commonwealth of Australia)

The Australian Army 10th Brigade has conducted littoral manoeuvrability trials with in-service Lockheed Martin M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra announced on 13 May.

The DoD said the activity was conducted in northern Queensland and included a beach landing exercise supported by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) amphibious ship HMAS Choules. “Using the landing craft mechanised Mark 8 (LCM-8) and the Mexeflote, the HIMARS, its resupply vehicle, munition pods, and support trailers were transported between [HMAS] Choules and Cowley Beach Training Area,” the DoD said.

It added that the Australian Army has already validated HIMARS transportability on Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130 and C-17 aircraft as well as on board RAN landing helicopter docks (LHDs). “Having earlier exceeded expectations by firing various missile types ahead of schedule, and at distances new to [the] army, attention has turned to the deployability of HIMARS on aircraft and ships to extend the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) ability to defend Australia's northern approaches,” the DoD added.

“Australian HIMARSs are now capable of being projected by all major in-service lift platforms and ship-to-shore connectors,” the DoD said. “Future work will be undertaken for transport on [the] army's future littoral manoeuvre vessels when they enter service.”

Commander of the 10th Brigade, Brigadier Cory Shillabeer, described the landing activity as a milestone. “Firing the HIMARS is one thing, but being able to deploy and manoeuvre across Australia and beyond is vital to contributing to the defence of Australia's northern approaches.