Editing ATACMS (section)

== Operation ==

The ATACMS was first used in combat in 1991: 32 were fired from the [[M270 MLRS]] during [[Operation Desert Storm]].<ref>[Source, DoD, ''Conduct of the Persian Gulf War'', April 1992, p. 753.]</ref> In 2003, more than 450 were fired in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lockheed Martin – Army Tactical Missile System|url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/12818.pdf|publisher=Lockheed Martin|year=2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927134611/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/12818.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> By early 2015, more than 560 ATACMS missiles had been used in combat.<ref name="armyreco8jan15" /><ref name="armedint8jan15" />

Starting from October 2023 [[Ukraine]] began using the earliest (short-ranged) versions of ATACMS during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="Court 2023 l481">{{cite web | last=Court | first=Elsa | title=NYT: US delivered 20 ATACMS to Ukraine | website=Yahoo News | date=2023-10-18 | url=https://news.yahoo.com/nyt-us-delivered-20-atacms-085420724.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018132859/https://news.yahoo.com/nyt-us-delivered-20-atacms-085420724.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=18 October 2023 | access-date=2023-10-19}}</ref> These missiles were meant to threaten the Russian-occupied "land corridor" to Crimea in the southern part of Ukraine<ref name="Brennan 2023 i217">{{cite web | last=Brennan | first=David | title=Ukraine cluster rockets can "shut down" Putin's Crimea bridges: Ex-Adviser | website=Newsweek | date=2023-08-26 | url=https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-cluster-rockets-shut-down-crimea-bridges-1822499 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826081816/https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-cluster-rockets-shut-down-crimea-bridges-1822499 | url-status=dead | archive-date=26 August 2023 | access-date=2023-10-20}}</ref> as well as the vast majority of the Russian-operated air bases in the north of [[Crimea]], which would theoretically complicate Russia's use of [[attack helicopters]] from those bases against Ukrainian targets.<ref name="Forbes 101723">{{Cite news |author=David Axe |date=17 October 2023 |title=Ukraine's New M39 Missiles Each Scatters A Thousand Submunitions. Now Every Russian Base in Ukraine Is A Target. |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/10/17/ukraines-new-m39-missiles-each-scatter-a-thousand-submunitions-now-every-russian-base-in-ukraine-is-a-target/?sh=4c8fafd051de}}</ref> The first recorded Ukrainian ATACMS strikes destroyed numerous Russian Military helicopters on the ground, confirmed by satellite imagery and video from the ground.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.twz.com/destruction-from-ukraines-first-atacms-strike-now-apparent | title=Destruction from Ukraine's First ATACMS Strike Now Apparent | date=18 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a45646309/ukraine-us-atacms-missiles-blow-up-russia-ka-52-attack-helicopters/ | title=Helipocalypse: Ukraine's New Missiles Blew up 11% of Russia's Ka-52 Attack Helicopters | date=31 October 2023 }}</ref>

Starting from 19 February 2024 there were rumors about possible near-future use of later (longer-ranged) versions of ATACMS by Ukraine,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-19 |title=Biden administration is leaning toward supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/biden-administration-leaning-supplying-ukraine-long-range-missiles-rcna139394 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219120208/https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/biden-administration-leaning-supplying-ukraine-long-range-missiles-rcna139394 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2024 |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> which were shortly proven correct when an ATACMS missile attack on the Russian-occupied [[Dzhankoi (air base)|Dzhankoi air base]] resulted in six main explosions and several reported [[Sympathetic detonation#Military|secondary explosions]]. The base was positioned much further than earlier versions of ATACMS' strike range from Ukraine-controlled territory.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/31255 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417122115/https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/31255 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 April 2024 |title= ANALYSIS: Ukrainian Long-Range Missile Strike Hammers Russian Airfield in Crimea, Maybe ATACMS |work= [[Kyiv Post]] |author= Stefan Korshak |date=17 April 2024}}</ref> It was then officially confirmed when U.S. officials revealed Ukraine had already received and deployed the missiles to a combat-ready status a month prior.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rules.house.gov/bill/118/hr-8035|title=H.R. 8035 – Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024|date=16 April 2024|website=House of Representatives Committee on Rules}}</ref><ref>tagesschau.de 21. April 2024: [https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/amerika/us-hilfen-ukraine-104.html ''Waffen könnten nun schnell geliefert werden'']</ref><ref name="apnews.com">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-24 |title=Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by US to hit Russian-held areas, officials say |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-long-range-missiles-4d2254639eb5a503d8b0a291ed0680e9 |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US quietly shipped long-range ATACMS missiles Ukraine |date=2024-04-24 |website=[[Reuters]] |url=http://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-quietly-shipped-long-range-atacms-missiles-ukraine-2024-04-24/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424224200/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-quietly-shipped-long-range-atacms-missiles-ukraine-2024-04-24/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 April 2024 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2024/04/us-will-continue-provide-atacms-ukraine-national-security-advisor-says/396104/ US will ‘continue to provide' ATACMS to Ukraine, national security advisor says]. ''Defense One''. 25 April 2024.</ref><ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/sullivan-says-ukraine-supplemental-should-cover-all-of-2024-long-range-atacms-now-in-ukraine/ Sullivan says Ukraine supplemental should cover all of 2024, long-range ATACMS now in Ukraine]. ''Breaking Defense''. 24 April 2024.</ref> These strikes with longer-range ATACMS deeper into Crimea destroyed components of Russian air defense systems, such as launchers part of the S-300 or S-400, along with destroying Russian Military aircraft on the ground, such as two MiG-31 interceptors, confirmed by satellite and ground imagery.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mil.in.ua/en/articles/atacms-in-action-three-months-of-destroying-russian-air-defense-in-ukraine/ | title=ATACMS in Action: Three Months of Destroying Russian Air Defense in Ukraine }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/mig-31-foxhounds-confirmed-destroyed-in-new-imagery-of-belbek-air-base | title=MiG-31 Foxhounds Confirmed Destroyed in New Imagery of Belbek Air Base | date=16 May 2024 }}</ref>

ATACMS has shown an ability to destroy air defense sites, and was used to destroy an active Russian S-300 or S-400 site. Drone footage showed the air defense system launching interceptors before the cluster submunitions of ATACMS impacted, causing numerous detonations of air defense system components such as launchers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/atacms-obliterates-russian-air-defense-system-as-it-desperately-tries-to-defend-itself | title=ATACMS Obliterates Russian Air Defense System as It Desperately Tries to Defend Itself | date=24 May 2024 }}</ref>

On 23 June 2024 an incident occurred during an [[June 2024 Sevastopol missile attack|attack on Sevastopol]], where Russian [[Missile defense|air defense missiles]] were fired at multiple ATACMS missiles resulting in explosions that caused 2 to 4 deaths and more than 150 injuries on [[Uchkiivka Beach]], where locals reported that no air raid warning had taken place and therefore people on the beach were not able to evacuate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-blames-us-barbaric-atacms-missile-attack-crimea-2024-06-24/|title=Russia promises retaliation against US for Ukraine strike on Crimea|website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.online.ua/na-pliazi-pid-sevastopolem-vpala-raketa-ppo-rf-je-zagibli-video-880762 | title=Під Севастополем ракета ППО РФ впала на людей на пляжі — відео | date=23 June 2024 }}</ref>

In September 2024 Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] threatened retaliation for [[Attacks in Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|attacks on Russian territory]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin's nuclear red line: Does he actually mean it? |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/putins-nuclear-read-line-does-he-actually-mean-it/ |work=[[Euractiv]] |date=27 September 2024}}</ref> Experts said Putin's threats are aimed at dissuading the United States, the United Kingdom and France from allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles such as the [[Storm Shadow]] and ATACMS in strikes against Russia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin lowers bar for nuclear strike amid Ukraine attacks: Why it matters |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/26/putin-lowers-bar-for-nuclear-strike-amid-ukraine-attacks-why-it-matters |work=Al Jazeera |date=26 September 2024}}</ref>

On 17 November 2024 the United States changed policy, allowing Ukraine to use  ATACMS for military targets inside mainland Russia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nakashima |first=Ellen |date=2024-11-17 |title=Biden approves Ukraine's use of long-range U.S. weapons inside Russia, reversing policy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/11/17/ukraine-russia-north-korea-atacms/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |newspaper=Washington Post }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trump allies make WW3 warning over Biden missile move in Ukraine |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrdmkxy7xmo |work=BBc News |date=18 November 2024}}</ref>

On 19 November 2024, ATACMS were for the first time fired at a target within the internationally recognized borders of Russia. An ammunition storage facility was destroyed in the Bryansk region of Russia, with videos of explosions and fires on the ground at the site emerging.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/land/u-s-supplied-atacms-missile-strike-inside-russia-have-begun|title=U.S.-Supplied ATACMS Missile Strike Inside Russia Have Begun|first=Thomas|last=Newdick|date=19 November 2024|website=The War Zone}}</ref>

On 25 November 2024, ATACMS were used to hit a Russian S-400 air defense system at an airbase in the Kursk region of Russia. Video emerged of ATACMS cluster munitions hitting the airbase, and imagery emerged of a destroyed 92N6E radar station of the S-400 system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/atacms-hit-air-field-in-russia-for-the-first-time|title=ATACMS Hit Airfield In Russia For The First Time|first=Howard|last=Altman|date=25 November 2024|website=The War Zone}}</ref>

=== EW vs usability ===

The ATACMS uses multiple inertial navigation units knitted together with software, so it is reportedly able to maintain accuracy when GPS is lost due to [[electronic warfare]] better than other GPS-guided weapons.<ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2024/05/taking-aim-army-leaders-ponder-mix-of-precision-munitions-vs-conventional/ Taking aim: Army leaders ponder mix of precision munitions vs conventional]. ''Breaking Defense''. 10 May 2024.</ref>

=== Reverse engineering ===

On July 1, 2024 Russia claimed to have recovered an ATACMS missile guidance system intact, and stated that Russian officials are studying the guidance system to "identify any weak spots".<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia is studying an intact U.S. ATACMS missile guidance system, says RIA |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-is-studying-an-intact-us-atacms-missile-guidance-system-says-ria-2024-07-01/#:~:text=July%201%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Russian,news%20agency%20said%20on%20Monday.|access-date=3 July 2024 |publisher=Reuters |author= Andrew Osborn |date=1 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref>