The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a tactical ballistic missile manufactured by Lockheed Martin. It is a conventional surface-to-surface artillery weapon system capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets, and other missiles. The missile uses solid propellant, is 13 feet high and 24 inches in diameter, and the longest range variants can fly up to 190 miles. The ATACMS can be fired from the tracked M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the wheeled M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

The ATACMS system ultimately derives from the 1978 ‘Assault Breaker’ technology demonstration program, which developed the concept of a ground-launched guided missile equipped with guided submunitions. The missile closely resembles its predecessor, the MGM-52 Lance missile, and was designed to take over the conventional role of the Lance missile, providing tactical support to ground troops.

ATACMS missiles are fired from the MLRS M270 and M270A1 weapons platform. The missile has a range of up to 300 km (190 miles) and can engage both point and area high-value targets with precision fires. The missile has been successful in Operation Desert Storm.

The ATACMS system has been in the news recently as the Biden administration is moving towards providing Ukraine with ATACMS missiles. The ATACMS would provide Ukraine with valuable additional capability and capacity to attack high-value Russian military targets in occupied territory.