January 31, 1985: MLRS fieldings at the Division level are completed when the 3rd Inf. Division (3rd ID) in Germany accepted their MLRS unit using the new, Total Package Unit Fielding (TPF) concept.

April 4, 1985: The first TPF fielding of a US based MLRS battery took place when 'C' Battery 1st Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, at Fort Carson, Colorado with the 4th Inf. Division (4th ID), accepted its MLRS equipment.

January 7, 1986: The first pure MLRS battalion deployed in the US Army went to Europe and assigned to the VII Corps Artillery. The 4th Battalion 27th Field Artillery was stationed in Wertheim, Germany.

May 1986: The MLRS European production contract awarded to the European Production Group in Munich, Germany.

December 1986: Contract awarded to LTV-AD to provide development support for the Sense and Destroy Armor (SADARM) sub-munition warhead for MLRS. It was envisioned that the descending sub-munition would search for a target and after detecting it, fire a shape charge formed, armor penetrating projectile to impact targets from the top.

September 16, 1987: 3rd Armored Division's MLRS Battery, 'C' 1/40th Field Artillerry is redesignated as 'A' Battery 40th Field Artillery Regiment, MLRS and assigned a general fire support role in the 3AD Division Artillery. The remainder of the 1/40th Field Artillery is reflagged and redesignated as 2/20th Field Artillery.


December 1987: The first battalion of MLRS equipment placed in forward deployed storage for use in case of hostilities (POMCUS). A battalion of soldiers could be sent to marry up with the equipment and ready to fight in a fraction of the time needed to deploy an MLRS battalion with all of it's equipment and soldiers.

July 1988: An Oklahoma National Guard unit at Fort Sill became the first Guard unit to receive the MLRS system.

September 1988: LTV-AD awarded development contracts for both the BCW and SADRAM, MLRS warhead programs.

June 1989: The last of the initial (Version 1) basic MLRS launchers produced.

July 27, 1989: Delivery of the first "Deep Attack" M270 launchers begins. The "Deep Attack" launchers are capable of firing the Army's TACMS (ATACMS) missiles 300+ kilometers.

August 31, 1989: European qualification testing completed, allowing the European MLRS manufacturer to move into full production. Additionally, the support effort for the German designed AT-2, MLRS warhead program was finished.

October 31, 1989: Existing MLRS units begin replacing the neoprene ablative panels protecting the 'exit' end of the LLM with more durable titanium panels. As part of the MLRS Project Office's support for Operation Desert Storm, 27M maintenance specialists are deployed alongside MLRS units to complete the titanium upgrading in theater.

Fiscal Year 1990: V Corps Artillery, in Europe, receives the first TPF of "Deep Attack" MLRS launchers assigned to 2/32nd Field Artillery. Also, a Battery of 'Deep Attack' launchers were TPF to 3/9th Field Artillery at Fort Sill, OK.

February 1991: The 500th MLRS launcher rolls off the production line.

February 13, 1991: A/21st Field Artillery, MLRS launches the first MLRS rockets fired in combat.

*The MLRS platform performed extremely well during Operation Desert Storm. MLRS units from other nations also deployed and met with the same success, proving the value of producing the MLRS within a multinational environment.

February 20, 1991: Due to warhead failures during flight testing, the BCW warhead program is canceled and the SADARM warhead is redesigned, using a different method of assembly.

November 1991: As a result of Operation Desert Storm reviews, plans begin for developing an Extended Range rocket (ER-MLRS) to be a successor to the standard M26 rocket already in production. The improved rocket would provide a delivery vehicle for future smart munitions at extended ranges.

February 1992: The European production facility is certified as a qualified MLRS second source.

July 27, 1993: Full-scale production of the basic M-26 MLRS standard, sub-munition warhead rocket ends. To maintain an warm production line, a minimal production of tactical warheads continues.

December 23, 1993: LVS awarded the manufacturing contract for the ER-MLRS rocket.

March 1994: The MLRS SADARM warhead program terminated due to underfunding and reduction in defense spending.

June 1994: The European manufacturing line, the second MLRS production source, completed delivery of the last European built MLRS launcher.

October 20, 1994: The first live fires of MLRS AT-2 mine laying warheads conducted at White Sands Missile Range.

January – December 1994: All of the remaining fleet of Basic MLRS (First Generation) platforms converted to the (Second Generation) Improved MLRS versions.

August 18, 1995: The contract for development of the Improved Launcher Mechanical System (ILMS) was awarded. This modification of the MLRS M270 launcher would allow faster engagement of highly mobile, short dwell time targets.

May 1996: LVS receives approval for the ER-MLRS rocket program to enter phase one initial production.

June 1996: LVS awarded the contract to produce the initial quantity of Extended Range – Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets (ER-MLRS).

August 1996: LVS receives a contract to develop and manufacture 4 prototypes for a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The primary mission of the HIMARS platform would be to provide an Air Force C-130 transportable MLRS platform, thus the term 'high mobility.'

*The development of HIMARS effectively begins the slow process of phasing out the M270 MLRS platform as it is slowly replaced with more modern and flexible variations of the original weapon system.