What ATACMS modifications can the US transfer to Ukraine for attacks on Crimea?

What ATACMS modifications can the US transfer to Ukraine for attacks on Crimea?

The White House is working to transfer ATACMS ballistic missiles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which can hit targets at a distance of 300 kilometers, as previously reported by American media. Ukraine may receive one of two modifications of such missiles, Channel 24 reports.

ATACMS Block IA

According to journalists, missiles of this modification appeared in 1998. It has a cluster warhead carrying about 300 submunitions. Each cluster submunition covers an area of 15 square meters. The missile hits targets at a distance of 290 km. The hit error is up to 25 meters.

“Improving the navigation system made this missile 10 times more accurate than those that Ukraine already used last fall,” the material says.

The material says that such missiles are suitable for attacks on military targets, warehouses, headquarters, etc. The speed of ATACMS missiles is up to 3,600 kilometers per hour. That is, in order to reach a target at a distance of 290 kilometers, the rocket needs less than 5 minutes. Therefore, it is almost impossible to intercept this missile.

ATACMS Block IVA

The publication writes that this is the latest modification of the ATACMS missiles that the US Army has. It has a unitary warhead weighing 227 kg. It hits at a distance of 300 km. Such missiles can be quickly reloaded at launchers. ATACMS Block IVA hits a specific target with minimal damage to adjacent objects. It is suitable for striking fortifications and bunkers.

ATACMS for Ukraine: where will new missiles be obtained?

The publication writes that American officials did not specify which missiles the United States wants to transfer to Ukraine. They only stated that with their help the Ukrainian Armed Forces would have the opportunity to strike at occupied Crimea. It is assumed that this is a possible modification of Block IA with 300 cluster submunitions and a destruction range of up to 290 kilometers. With its help, the Defense Forces will be able to attack airfields, accumulations of equipment, air defense systems and other objects on the peninsula.

According to journalists, such missiles will be able to reach any object on the territory of Ukraine. If the strike is launched from the Mykolaiv region, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be able to hit a target in Sevastopil or hit the Crimean Bridge. The situation will also be affected by the fact that ballistic missiles are difficult to shoot down.

According to journalists, the US House of Representatives has not yet voted on a bill to finance aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and therefore the transfer of missiles may face problems.