By www.army.mil
Publication Date: 2025-11-19 21:41:00
Ron Holliday, Carolyn Orzechowski, Ed Cutts and Col. Denis J. Fajardo stand in front of an upgraded M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System at Red River Army Depot after the Oct. 7 ceremony.
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Col. Denis J. Fajardo, commander of Red River Army Depot, speaks at the Oct. 7 ceremony celebrating the delivery of two M270A2 multiple launch rocket systems to the United Kingdom. Behind him are Ed Cutts of the UK Ministry of Defence, Carolyn Orzechowski of Lockheed Martin and Ron Holliday of the Strategic and Operational Rocket and Missile Projects Office. Jason DeBerry, master of ceremonies for the event, also appears on the far left.
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Ron Holliday, of the Strategic and Operational Rocket and Missile Project Office, addresses the audience at Red River Army Depot. Behind him are the ceremony’s speakers, as well as Joe Johnson, far left, who gave the invocation, and Jason DeBerry, who served as master of ceremonies.
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RED RIVER ARMY DEPOT, Texas – The United Kingdom took delivery of its first two M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) Oct. 7 during a ceremony at Red River Army Depot.
This celebration commemorates a long-standing public-private partnership between Red River and Lockheed Martin, as well as the ongoing relationship with the Strategic and Operational Rocket and Missile Project Office (STORM). Together, the team laid the foundations for a modernized UK fleet that will include 61 M270A2 launchers and eight resupply and recovery vehicles.
“The delivery of the United Kingdom’s first two M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System launchers is not just a transfer of equipment; it is a symbol of trust and collaboration,” said Col. Denis J. Fajardo, Red River commander. “These launchers represent the cutting edge of precision firepower and their arrival at Red River is a testament to the hard work and technical excellence of our team.”
The ceremony also celebrated the completion of New Equipment Training (NET) in September, where UK soldiers trained alongside members of the Red River team.
“Watching these welders master the capabilities of the M270A2 system has been inspiring,” Fajardo said. “Their discipline and enthusiasm for learning reflect the best of the British Army and remind us why their alliance remains one of the strongest in the world.”
The successful training highlighted not only the strength of the alliance but also the importance of modernization to meet changing battlefield requirements.
“The M270A2 marks a significant advance in the ability to serve as the basis for the UK’s vision of one launcher and many payloads,” said Ed Cutts, Director of Weapons, Advanced Equipment and Support at the UK Ministry of Defence. “For operators and maintainers, the A2 provides a greatly improved experience with simplified maintenance and optimized operations. The platform improves crew protection while modernizing systems to meet the demands of today’s battlefield and adapt to future challenges.”
Ed Cutts of the UK Ministry of Defense talks to Colonel Denis J. Fajardo as he sits inside a modernized M270A2 launcher at Red River Army Depot.
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With more than four decades of service, the M270 MLRS remains the cornerstone of precision shooting. Tested in combat in Operation Desert Storm, its unparalleled ability to fight massive fires earned it the nickname “rain of steel.”
Between 2000 and 2004, Red River Army Depot played a key role in a partnership that upgraded the M993A0 chassis to the M993A1 configuration. Under this agreement, Red River completed chassis conversions before shipping the upgraded units to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Camden, Arkansas, where the launcher loading module (LLM) was installed. Funded by PM STORM, this coordinated effort showcased a seamless partnership between government and industry, delivering enhanced capability to the warfighter.
“In today’s complex and rapidly evolving security environment, it is more important than ever that allies can work together seamlessly to deter and defeat threats,” said Carolyn Orzechowski, vice president of launchers and precision missiles at Lockheed Martin. “Looking ahead, we remain committed to modernizing the platform, delivering next-generation munitions and ensuring the UK retains a decisive advantage on the battlefield.”
As the demands of the battlefield evolve, so must the systems that support them. In April 2019, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to recapitalize legacy launchers, transforming them into the advanced M270A2 configuration. The modernization effort is designed to keep the platform relevant, reliable and ready for future missions.
Red River Army Depot, designated as a Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for the MLRS platform, is critical to this transformation. Since 2009, the depot has rebuilt and repaired launchers with precision and expertise, underscoring its role in maintaining and modernizing the fleet.
“Today we will be delivering two M270A2s to the UK, but they are two of many,” said Ron Holliday, STORM project manager. It is important because we are keeping our promises. This has less to do with STORM, and I dare say it has less to do with the UK. I would say it is about Red River’s contributions and achievements in delivering this warfighting capability to the UK. I can’t thank the Red River team enough. “You continue to deliver on your promises and we continue to be amazed by your abilities.”