Editing M142 HIMARS (section)

==Design==
The HIMARS is similar in design to the [[M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System]] (MLRS), with the main exception being that it is a wheeled vehicle as opposed to a [[Continuous track|tracked vehicle]]. The HIMARS can carry the same type of pods as the M270, but carries one pod while the M270 carries two pods. The HIMARS windows are made of sheets of [[sapphire]] laminated with glass and polycarbonate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2013 |title=Saint-Gobain delivers sapphire-engineered transparent armor |url=https://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/11/05/Saint-Gobain-delivers-sapphire-engineered-transparent-armor/UPI-26791383684004/?spt=mps&or=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619032111/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/11/05/Saint-Gobain-delivers-sapphire-engineered-transparent-armor/UPI-26791383684004/?spt=mps&or=1 |archive-date=19 June 2014 |website=upi.com}}</ref>

The HIMARS was also tested as a unified launch system for both artillery rockets and the [[SLAMRAAM]] surface-launched variant of the [[AMRAAM]] anti-aircraft missile.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lockheed Martin's HIMARS Launcher Successfully Fires Air Defense Missile |url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2009-03-25-Lockheed-Martins-HIMARS-Launcher-Successfully-Fires-Air-Defense-Missile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003005132/https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2009-03-25-Lockheed-Martins-HIMARS-Launcher-Successfully-Fires-Air-Defense-Missile |archive-date=3 October 2023 |access-date=1 May 2022 |website=Lockheed Martin}}</ref>

In October 2017, a Marine Corps HIMARS fired a rocket while at sea against a land target for the first time from the deck of the [[amphibious transport dock]] {{USS|Anchorage|LPD-23|6}}, demonstrating the system's ability to operate while on ships to deliver precision fire from a standoff range against shore defenses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=25 October 2017 |title=Marines launch rocket from amphibious ship to destroy land target 70 km away |url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2017/10/25/marines-launch-rocket-from-amphibious-ship-to-destroy-target-on-land/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240104002627/https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-marine-corps/2017/10/25/marines-launch-rocket-from-amphibious-ship-to-destroy-target-on-land/ |archive-date=4 January 2024 |website=Defense News}}</ref> The vehicle's targeting software was reworked so it can better fire while on a launch platform in motion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuentes |first=Gidget |date=24 October 2017 |title=Marines Fire HIMARS From Ship in Sea Control Experiment With Navy |url=https://news.usni.org/2017/10/24/marines-fire-himars-ship-sea-control-experiment-navy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003050627/https://news.usni.org/2017/10/24/marines-fire-himars-ship-sea-control-experiment-navy |archive-date=3 October 2023 |website=U.S. Naval Institute}}</ref>

By early 2022, Lockheed Martin was producing HIMARS at a rate of 48 launchers annually, but following the start of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] that rate was increased to 60. In October 2022 the company announced it would boost production to 96 systems annually in response to increased demand caused by the war. Limitations in building new industrial capacity means it will be several months before production can be ramped up from five to eight vehicles monthly.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hudson |first1=Lee |last2=McLeary |first2=Paul |date=18 October 2022 |title=U.S. industry cranks up HIMARS production as Ukraine war intensifies |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/18/himars-production-war-ukraine-00062301 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004200959/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/18/himars-production-war-ukraine-00062301 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |website=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=18 October 2022 |title=Lockheed making moves to increase HIMARS production to 96 per year |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2022/10/lockheed-making-moves-to-increase-himars-production-to-96-per-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208021609/https://breakingdefense.com/2022/10/lockheed-making-moves-to-increase-himars-production-to-96-per-year/ |archive-date=8 December 2023 |website=Breaking Defense}}</ref>