An Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile launched successfully in a recent stockpile verification test at Fort Bliss, Texas, Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] announced.

The missile was fired from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher.

An ATACMS Unitary variant missile was fired to destroy a target approximately 175 kilometers (108.7 miles) away.

The operation met all mission objectives, which included:

• Demonstrating missile/launcher interface and missile reliability
• Collecting performance, technical and reliability data for assessment of production missiles
• Validating missile performance and accuracy
• Proving performance of system software

HIMARS can accommodate the entire family of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) munitions, including all variants of the Guided MLRS rocket and ATACMS missiles, Lockheed noted.

The systems engage and defeat artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations.

HIMARS can launch its missiles and move away from the launch area before enemy forces locate the launch site. It can be transported by C-130 Hercules aircraft, which allows HIMARS to be deployed into areas inaccessible to heavier launchers.

During Operation Desert Storm, ATACMS became the first tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the Army, according to Lockheed. ATACMS is a combat-proven evolutionary family of missiles that also scored numerous successes again in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where approximately 550 ATACMS missiles have been fired.