[Goose]

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/157...5inhhDXh3A

We've only been seeing one type of GMLRS missile so far, the M31, which has a single big warhead for a single hardened target. This missile, the M30, can go as far and is GPS guided as well, but is meant as an area attack weapon against softer targets.

Will be very useful at attacking Russian infantry.

These seem like they'd be relevant if a group of Russians were hastily fleeing encirclement, congregated on a single road out of an area...

This variant was intended as a replacement for the M30 DPICM. It indeed works well against infantry in the open. It also works well against "soft" targets such as truck-borne infantry and any other similar transport, like commercial trucks, trains etc.. It was intended (hoped?) that this munition would also serve against IFVs and to some extent against armor. In this latter role it was not effective.

With 155mm artillery, the "original" recipe was to use VT against Warsaw pact motor rifle formations and DPICM against Guards Armored formations. The M270 as originally built fired only DPICM, as the Warsaw pact was converting motor rifle formation from trucks to IFVs. This was also what the Grad and it's successor (Smerch) fired. However, the end of the cold war led to the idea that the "dud rate" of the DPICM was unacceptable because it could endanger civilians and advancing friendly troops, so after many attempts to lower the dud rate below 1% the M30A1 was created. It never came close to replacing DPICM. Russia of course never even considered replacing DPICM.

I do hope Ukraine finds occasion to use these weapons. This is also one of the many reasons infantry should never ride on the outside of their IFV. Inside, you are quite safe. Outside, you are in lots of trouble.

[Goose]

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/157...5inhhDXh3A

We've only been seeing one type of GMLRS missile so far, the M31, which has a single big warhead for a single hardened target. This missile, the M30, can go as far and is GPS guided as well, but is meant as an area attack weapon against softer targets.

Will be very useful at attacking Russian infantry.

These seem like they'd be relevant if a group of Russians were hastily fleeing encirclement, congregated on a single road out of an area...

This variant was intended as a replacement for the M30 DPICM. It indeed works well against infantry in the open. It also works well against "soft" targets such as truck-borne infantry and any other similar transport, like commercial trucks, trains etc.. It was intended (hoped?) that this munition would also serve against IFVs and to some extent against armor. In this latter role it was not effective.

With 155mm artillery, the "original" recipe was to use VT against Warsaw pact motor rifle formations and DPICM against Guards Armored formations. The M270 as originally built fired only DPICM, as the Warsaw pact was converting motor rifle formation from trucks to IFVs. This was also what the Grad and it's successor (Smerch) fired. However, the end of the cold war led to the idea that the "dud rate" of the DPICM was unacceptable because it could endanger civilians and advancing friendly troops, so after many attempts to lower the dud rate below 1% the M30A1 was created. It never came close to replacing DPICM. Russia of course never even considered replacing DPICM.

I do hope Ukraine finds occasion to use these weapons. This is also one of the many reasons infantry should never ride on the outside of their IFV. Inside, you are quite safe. Outside, you are in lots of trouble.