MLRS
Multiple-launch rocket system; a wheeled or tracked vehicle firing salvos of unguided rockets.
Last refreshed: 9 June 2026
How are rocket artillery systems being adapted for unmanned vehicles in Ukraine?
Timeline for MLRS
Mentioned in: North Korean rockets on Russian robots
Russia-Ukraine War 2026Mentioned in: 9,616 drones, 171 clashes — 17 March
Russia-Ukraine War 2026- What does MLRS stand for in military terms?
- MLRS stands for multiple-launch rocket system. It refers to artillery platforms that fire salvos of rockets — ranging from light 107mm systems to heavy 300mm types — from a single vehicle. Both guided and unguided variants exist.
- Which MLRS systems are being used in the Ukraine war?
- Ukraine operates US-supplied M270 and M142 HIMARS for precision long-range strikes. Russia uses BM-21 Grad, BM-27 Uragan, and BM-30 Smerch for mass fires. In June 2026, the North Korean Type-75 107mm MLRS was confirmed mounted on Russian unmanned ground vehicles in the Kharkiv direction.Source: ISW
Background
MLRS (multiple-launch rocket system) is a class of artillery platform that fires salvos of unguided or guided rockets from a single vehicle. Systems range from light 107mm types to heavy 300mm platforms. Precision-guided variants such as GMLRS extend effective range beyond 70km.
MLRS has been central to the Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine's US-supplied M270 and HIMARS systems have struck Russian logistics at depth, while Russia's BM-21 Grad and Uragan have fired mass salvos at Ukrainian positions. In June 2026, the North Korean Type-75 107mm MLRS was confirmed mounted on Russian UGVs in Kharkiv direction, extending the class to autonomous platforms.