A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) with the 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment fires toward a designated target at Yausubetsu Training Area, Hokkaido, Japan (US Army)
WASHINGTON — Soldiers in the US Army’s 25th Infantry Division this week began swapping out some of their cannons for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, according to a two-star general.
“We are integrating in long-range precision fires that increases the ability to extend our operational reach,” 25th ID Commander Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans told reporters today.
“It also provides us [with] a platform that we can better protect ourselves with because we can shoot and then we can rapidly displace or move to an area that affords us better protection,” he added.
As part of the broader Army transformation initiative (ATI), this week the division began the six-week process of replacing eight 105mm and six 155mm howitzers with 16 HIMARS launchers. That change means a net reduction of 119 soldiers due to the smaller HIMARS formation footprint and is expected to produce some cost savings for the service as a result of the fewer operators, Evans estimated.
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While the division is adding a new organic capability to its artillery brigade, the 25th is not completely shedding towed artillery, as it will retain a single cannon battalion with two batteries of 105mm howitzers and one battery of M777 155mm howitzers.
“When you compare the HIMARS to a piece of towed artillery, a HIMARS can shoot and move all in one organic platform very rapidly,” Evan said. “When you compare that to a towed artillery piece, it takes a little bit longer to be able to move, and we’re looking for the ability to quickly employ fires assets and then displace as quickly as possible to enable protection and survivability … on today’s battlefield.”
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The move comes as the service shakes up its formations and equipment portfolio under its recently unveiled ATI and ponders the right mix of artillery weapons inside units. Both HIMARS and 155mm artillery, in particular, have proved extremely valuable on the battlefields of Ukraine, leading to high worldwide demand for the systems.
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Author: Ashley Roque
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