L3Harris Technologies has received contracts to develop and modernize fire control systems on rocket launch vehicles that help the U.S. Army and allied forces around the world establish battlefield dominance.
Under contracts totaling up to $124 million, L3Harris will provide the Common Fire Control System (CFCS) on both the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) vehicles produced by Lockheed Martin.
The upgraded fire control units provide enhanced digital processing power and modernized computing infrastructure while eliminating difficult hand assembly and component preparation. L3Harris is increasing CFCS production rates through streamlined supply chain and manufacturing processes to support increased demand driven by the Ukraine conflict.
The L3Harris CFCS combines three vital capabilities for fire control – the Common Launcher Control Unit, Weapon Control Unit and Power Switching Unit. The components are key to allowing operators to control weapons, regulate power and ultimately launch the rockets from the vehicle. The systems are compatible with the M142 HIMARS, a wheeled vehicle, and the tracked M270 MLRS. Providing a common solution for both vehicles reduces lifecycle costs compared to separate systems for each and simplifies production, maintenance, logistics and training.
L3Harris began delivering fire control units for U.S. Army precision ground fire vehicles more than 20 years ago, and the recent agreements are a combination of follow-on orders and new contracts.