Russia is said to use jammers to reduce the accuracy of the Himars multiple rocket launchers. The point of attack is probably the GPS signals.
The American Himar missile system is considered one of Ukraine’s most important weapons. But now there should be problems with the accuracy. The reason is not the high-tech weapons themselves, but Russian jammers. According to a report by US broadcaster CNN, there are increasing numbers of electronic attacks.
The Himars missiles are guided to the target by a GPS system. Apparently, Russia is able to electronically disrupt contact with the satellites. Multiple sources from the US, Ukraine and UK reported to CNN. “It’s like a game of cat and mouse,” an insider said. One constantly tries to improve the software of the Himars systems. However, there are limits. From the Russian side, new ways were constantly being sought and also found to influence the accuracy of the target.
“It’s one thing to be able to stop the Russians where they are. It’s another thing to drive them out,” former Brigadier General Steven Anderson told CNN. Himars is very important for Ukraine to hit distant targets.
Soldiers say Himar’s effectiveness is declining
According to the CNN report, Ukrainian soldiers at the front reported the problems. A drone pilot in the east of the country called this “considerable”. Another in the Kherson region told the channel effectiveness has dropped dramatically – but they are still necessary.
So far, the Ukrainian army has received 18 Himars systems from the USA, with another 20 to follow. Ten more multiple rocket launchers have been delivered from the NATO countries. Among them are three German Mars II systems. It is currently unclear whether and how the German weapons will be disrupted.
The recently leaked documents on the Ukraine war are said to have stated that the US is helping Ukraine to track down and destroy Russian jammers. That has a high priority, CNN quotes from the documents.
Other ammunition could also be affected
Interference with GPS signals could also affect other weapons based on the navigation satellites. This includes the Excalibur ammunition, which is fired from howitzers. This can also be steered to the destination via the GPS.
A Pentagon official told CNN that Ukraine fires about 18 rockets from Himars vehicles a day with no problems. However, he did not want to comment on the jammers. The manufacturer of the Himars systems, the US company Lockheed Martin, also declined to comment.
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With a Himars system, up to six missiles can be fired simultaneously in quick succession. The ammunition delivered to Ukraine can fly up to 80 kilometers. The accuracy should be three meters. According to CNN research, the Ukrainian army has already fired 9,000 missiles with the systems.
