Fucking finally. This is the exact type of thing Ukraine needs. Make sure any large ammo dump or command post within 300km of the front line ceases to exist.
Hopefully they allow Ukraine to use them against military targets in Russia as well, but, that’s probably too hopeful.
Yeah, it’s embarrassing it took this long. These could have taken out the KA-52s that have been a key part of stopping Ukraine’s offensive.
Excellent news, though the thumbnail makes it look like they’re going to be “sent” by launching them.
Gotten my hopes up too many times. Just fucking send them already.
Please tell me that’s pronounced “Attack-ems”
yeah it is
us weapon system names always seem to be jokes
e.g., the AT-4 launcher is called AT-4 because the projectile it fires is an 84mm rocket, and AT-4 sounds like 84
They need to wait until after ammo depots within 200km of the line and the Crimean bridge disappears, then announce it as “Oh yeah, we sent ATACMS last week”…
The ATACMS should have the same problem with bridges as M270/HIMARS and SCALP/Storm Shadow. They hit the road surface, punch a hole and the explosions happens below in the open.
It might be the best if Ukraine continues their efforts with their own developments e.g. via water, as they can easily damage the pillars and foundation of the bridge. Or even lift and destroy a whole bridge segment between two pillars, as we have seen in the past.
The ATACMS will certainly be of big use for storages and hubs far behind the front lines. But as the article writes: “It could be months before Ukraine receives the missiles, according to the official.”
Besides ATACMS delivery, the USA will also have to maintain their HIMARS launcher, as they were altered before delivery to be unable to launch ATACMS (source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-altered-himars-rocket-launchers-to-keep-ukraine-from-firing-missiles-into-russia-11670214338). But maybe a simple software update can be installed? There were no details mentioned how the launchers were modified.
