M270 MLRS

The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher. It can fire a variety of rockets and missiles, including guided MLRS rockets and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

Developed in the late 1970s, the M270 was designed to counter the Warsaw Pact's numerical superiority in conventional artillery by delivering rapid, devastating suppressive fire. The system officially entered service with the United States Army in 1983 and quickly became a key asset for NATO forces. It saw its first major combat deployment during the 1991 Gulf War, where its devastating effectiveness earned it the nickname 'Steel Rain' from Iraqi forces. Decades later, the M270 remains in active service globally, undergoing continuous upgrades to its fire control systems to ensure compatibility with modern precision-guided munitions.