- Reaction score
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- Points
- 1,160
New Precision MLRS Helps In Battle for Tal Afar
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.4308111.1089903978.QPadasOa9dUAAESlMZk&modele=jdc_34
The GMRLS carries a 200 lb unitary HE warhead (not grenades). The air force usually operates with 500 lb bombs and larger although it has had access to 250 lb bombs and is currently fielding a new generation 250 lb long range, precision strike, small diameter bomb. They are going to smaller bombs because wiith precise delivery large bombs were overkill endangering civilians and forcing their own troops to stand off further from the target for safety reasons. This increased the time necessary to enter a building after impact allowing enemy forces more time to react. Larger bombs have been used in the past because they could not be delivered precisely on target.
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.4308111.1089903978.QPadasOa9dUAAESlMZk&modele=jdc_34
.....Precision has psychological effects
"We can be accurate, we can be lethal and we can also have a very low collateral damage estimate," McGuire said. "We can engage the target without compromising the safety of the civilians nearby and also take out the terrorists or insurgencies that engage our forces."
Operation Restoring Rights' senior U.S. officer, Col. H. R. McMaster, commander, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, weighed in on the combat effectiveness of the new system. "The GMLRS proved itself in combat in Tal Afar and provided the regiment with tremendous capability. It not only was able to hit enemy positions with a great deal of precision, but was able to limit collateral damage."
The physical and psychological effect the system had on the enemy in Tal Afar - who was trying either to successfully defend against an attack or goad the Coalition into destroying large portions of the city - was extremely valuable, McMaster said.
GMLRS better than smart bombs?
The first GMLRS weapons arrived at Fort Sill, Okla., about 18 months ago and 3rd Battalion, 13th FA Regiment has been training with the system since June 2004. GMLRS was designed to reduce the amount of collateral damage in combat, giving commanders on the ground the ability to take out a terrorist or insurgent target accurately and effectively without creating the excess damage other artillery and air-dropped munitions may cause, McGuire said.
"This (system) allows ground commanders to precisely attack small targets, even in an urban environment, with even lower collateral damage than precision bombs used by the U.S. Air Force," said Hannah.
If the aircraft are unable to support a mission because of communication or weather issues, ground commanders will still have access to the new MLRS system, which provides the same capabilities as the air power, McGuire said.....
The GMRLS carries a 200 lb unitary HE warhead (not grenades). The air force usually operates with 500 lb bombs and larger although it has had access to 250 lb bombs and is currently fielding a new generation 250 lb long range, precision strike, small diameter bomb. They are going to smaller bombs because wiith precise delivery large bombs were overkill endangering civilians and forcing their own troops to stand off further from the target for safety reasons. This increased the time necessary to enter a building after impact allowing enemy forces more time to react. Larger bombs have been used in the past because they could not be delivered precisely on target.