Tungsten hail: Ukraine's latest weapon in the battle against Russia
Ukrainians from the 54th Mechanized Brigade managed to inflict severe losses on the Russians by attacking a training ground using two GMLRS rockets. We present the capabilities of these rain-of-death rockets from the USA.
The Ukrainians have had great success using M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS systems to destroy Russian logistics and front-line training points. In the recording below, you can see an attack using two GMLRS rockets. Both explode in the air, indicating M30A1 variants with an Alternative Warhead that covers a significant area with a hail of tungsten balls and shrapnel.
It is worth noting that these fragments easily penetrate bulletproof vests, and the only safe place during the attack is a dugout or the inside of an armoured carrier. Judging by the number of dots in the impact area, the Russians suffered heavy losses in the attack.
Tungsten rain as a replacement for controversial weapons
M30A1 rockets were developed to replace the M26 series rockets that used cluster warheads containing DPICM bomblets. This is a very effective weapon for area attacks but controversial due to the unexploded ordnance that remains dangerous to both friendly troops and civilians even decades after the war ends.
M30A1 rockets produced since 2015 are equipped with an Alternative Warhead that achieves area-scattering effects without leaving unexploded ordnance. This was achieved by surrounding the explosive charge with 182,000 tungsten balls. These are ejected about 10 metres above the ground and have energy comparable to steel-core bullets fired from an AKM or AK-74 rifle.
M30A1 rockets can hit targets up to 80 kilometres away. One M142 HIMARS launcher carries six such rockets, while the M270 MLRS carries twice as many. The rockets are guided by a combination of satellite and inertial navigation. This is a simple and inexpensive solution, but GPS signal jamming reduces its effectiveness.
