The US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMAR), Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) has a flaw in its design, precisely how it might be confused by radar deflectors to prevent it from acquiring a clear target lock. It is a move to spoof the guidance systems to prevent them from hitting high-value targets like bridges.

Ukraine Used US HIMARS MLRS

Kyiv has used the US rocket system to attack critical targets in areas where they were defeated and kicked out. Such targets for MLRS are several bridges in Kherson, the Antonivsky Bridge, and a rail bridge over the Dnieper River, reported The EurAsian Times.

Other damaged bridges include the Antonivka, Darivka, and another road near the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. These structures are needed to move heavy equipment used by the Russians, per Ukrinform. 

Means are deployed to prevent enemy fire with countermeasures. These radar deflectors are used on the Antonivsky bridge and near the rail bridge in Kherson.

Previously, there were rumors that Russia was constructing a pontoon bridge when Yurii Sobolevskyi, First Deputy Chairman of Kherson Regional Council, produced photographic evidence. The latest satellite photographs, however, have put these thoughts to rest, citing Pravda.

Armed with the HIMARS MLRS, Ukraine has presented the Russians with a less exposed counter-offensive. Moscow previously claimed that Ukraine had targeted its Black Sea headquarters.

 As the enemy rolled in and conquered Kherson, the Ukrainians realized that using residents as human shields was insufficient. The only chance for Moscow to keep this oblast is to preserve its supply routes across the Dnipro River.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine Conflict Exposes Main Battle Tanks Flaws Hindering Battle Victory

Russia To Overcome Opposition

In addition to the satellite imagery, film of ferry operations near the defunct Antonivskiy Bridge has emerged. Pyramidal radar reflectors spaced alongside the span might be seen in the video below between the two partially collapsed bridges.

Engineers placed these deflectors at both places to produce a ghost bridge that can be read by satellite radar. It confuses any rocket that sees two identical targets, and the genuine bridge may be securely reconstructed.

These bridges are the primary strategic objectives for Ukrainian troops now that they have HIMARS-fired M31 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and M270 launchers in their long-range guided arsenal.

The HIMARS do not have the range to attack the Kerch bridge, which Russia has diligently protected, but they may easily reach Kherson.

Girish Linganna, a defense expert, detailed how these deflectors function; the MLRS employs GPS coordinates of the target and an inertial navigation system.

This has wreaked havoc on the Russians in Kherson, who have attempted to relocate supplies closer to civilian centers. HIMARS excels at precise targeting in urban environments.

The deployment of these pyramidal radar deflectors will confuse missiles that employ radars, satellite photos, and sophisticated radar to guide themselves to a target. Even if the American or Ukrainian targeting officers see the target on the screen, the strike will be imprecise.

The trick renders what should be a flat surface target, and the HIMARS will become confused and miss. The missile in HIMARS, as used in Ukraine, does not have radar, but systems that transmit GPS to GMLRS use radar to determine target coordinates.

Russians have been using radar reflectors to fool rockets to prevent the HIMARS MLRS from hitting its target.

Related Article: India BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles Aims To Capture ASEAN Market From US Harpoon Missile