[datura]

Why is it then that the MLRS units are still stateside?

[neverdem]

Why is it then that the MLRS units are still stateside?

Maybe their sub-munitions disperse over too big an area, or maybe their sub-munitions don't detonate instantly as desired, or they are too big for the job. I don't know.

[Darksheare]

MLRS cannot mark with smoke or do illume missions.
Yet.
But a 105mm illume round costs less than an MLRS illume rocket would.
And a White phosphorus 105mm round is safer and costs less than an MLRS white phosphorus rocket would.

The WP rounds tend to be picky about rough handling, and an MLRS rocket tends to be thin skinned.

[Wombat101]

'cause ya can't drive a MLRS in the hilly, rocky a*s-end of Afghanistan and keeping aircraft (which may be needed elsewhere) on standby for targets gets expensive and is a maintenance nightmare. If the troopers in Afghanistan had more indigenous (and more mobile) artillery of their own, it would relieve some of the pressure on existing air assets.

Additional theory: During the Vietnam war artillery was situated on key hills overlooking strategic areas. These little artillery camps were known as "firebases", and they were very effective, being able to place a high rate of accurate fire in a 360 degree arc. Could we be attempting to ressurect the firebase tactic in Afghanistan? The howitzers their talking about can not only be towed into place, but are easily airlifted by helicopter as well. Could be that with all the emphasis in the last 20-30 years on tracked artillery that perhaps we've not been buying enough of the older guns?