Damaged HIMARS shipped to the United States for repair
12 February, 2024 Damaged HIMARS were delivered to the USA for recovery. February 2024. Image: YouTube channel Dustin Weese
Two damaged launchers of the M142 HIMARS rocket system of the Ukrainian Defense Forces were delivered to the United States. This is evidenced by the identification marks on the vehicles used by the Ukrainian military. A video of the vehicles being unloaded was posted on Dustin Weese's YouTube channel.
They need to be repaired and restored at facilities of the country of origin. The author of the video said in the description that on February 10, 2024, a Ukrainian An-124 cargo aircraft landed at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA.
Two HIMARS launchers damaged in the war in Ukraine were quickly unloaded from the aircraft. After loading other U.S. Army vehicles, the AN-124 departed the U.S. airport about two hours after arrival.
This is the first publicly known confirmation of damage to these vehicles. It is not known for certain what caused it. Launchers have different levels of damage.
A damaged HIMARS system is shipped to the United States for repair.
February, 2024. Photo credits: Dustin Weese YouTube channel
One vehicle is missing the right front wheel under the crew compartment and has damage to the lower part of the chassis on the right side, which is typical of a mine or other powerful explosive device.
A damaged HIMARS system is shipped to the United States for repair. February, 2024.
Photo credits: Dustin Weese YouTube channel
Another launcher has damage, most likely from debris. Holes are visible in the cockpit, armored glass, and the guided missile guide itself.
A damaged HIMARS system is shipped to the United States for repair. February, 2024.
Photo credits: Dustin Weese YouTube channel
The vehicle also has flat tires that indicates that they were also cut by shrapnel from the explosion of a shell.
Illustrative photo of M142 HIMARS.
Photo from open sources
The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is mounted on the chassis of the M1140 FMTV six-wheeled tactical truck.
The launcher can be used as a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) with high-precision ammunition of various ranges or as an operational and tactical missile system.