ATACMS for Ukraine: A Game Changer or Just A Giant Mistake?

Escalation Ahead? Ukraine Targets Russia with U.S. ATACMS

In its latest Ukraine policy reversal, the Biden administration has authorized Kyiv to use powerful long-range American weapons inside Russia. The White House had previously refused to give the green light to Ukraine for such strikes amidst the ongoing invasion, fearful that they could escalate the war.

Since February 2022, Kyiv’s military leaders have lobbied the United States for its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) so that it could strike deep inside Russian territoryNow that these weapons will be allowed to be deployed in Russia, a shift in the conflict could result. The long-range capabilities that ATACMS provides will give Ukraine nearly double the striking distance of the vast majority of its existing weapons arsenal.

What are ATACMS?

ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles were designed in the late 1980s to give operators the immediate firepower to “win the deep battle,” as its manufacturer Lockheed Martin says. These formidable missiles travel at high altitudes before descending rapidly, which makes them very difficult to detect.

ATACMS has a range of up to 190 miles, making the weapon system capable of penetrating deep into enemy territory and circumventing even the most cutting-edge air defense systems.

Specs & capabilities

The original Block I ATACMS variant is designed to strike high-value targets, ranging from airfields and supply areas to surface-to-air missile sites. Newer variants like the Block 1A are capable of deploying a single 160-kg warhead which can be loaded with up to 300 M74 submunitions.

Functioning like a cluster bomb, these submunitions can then be dispersed over a larger target area. The Block 1A also comes in a unitary warhead variant which is designed to minimize collateral damage once launched. As detailed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, this variant can use either a warhead from the AGM/RGM-84 Harpoon or the warhead from the SLAM-ER missile.