Chinese SR5 Truck Mounted Universal Multiple Rocket Launcher multiple System (MLRS) System via Chinese Military Review.

Chinese SR5 Truck Mounted Universal Multiple Rocket Launcher multiple System (MLRS) System pic via Chinese Military Review.

Question.  When was the last time that US forces faced devastating enemy artillery?

Answer.  Korea.

China is looking to change that if we ever tangle and their latest truck mounted universal MLRS system will probably be a big part of any future war plans.

Much has been made of the idea of US forces hearing enemy fighters overhead, but just as concerning should be the whistle of enemy artillery.  Historically communist forces believed and relied heavily on huge numbers of gun and missile fire to overwhelm forces in the field and reduce cities to rubble.

Luckily the US Army already has in service the weapon system that should be able to keep enemy artillery at bay (if we can see them approaching in time), the ATACMS.

This is one of those weapon systems that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves but might prove invaluable in the future.

Its quite obvious to me (despite the protests of Elements of Power Blog) that the ground forces of the US are going to have to be prepared to shape the battlespace without assistance from air power.  The ATACMS (built by Lockheed...they really should sector off other divisions to protect them from the coming drama) can do that.  Instead of begging the USAF to put that division thats approaching on their target list, Commanders can simply dial up their own long range rocket artillery to help thin the herd.

Whether we're actually fighting the Chinese or their "stuff" we will eventually cross swords.  It would be best to make any corrections in strategy/procurement now, while we have the time, instead of in the heat of battle.