NSPA accomplished on schedule and within budget the dismantling and recovery of 16 MLRS and an additional Launcher Loader Module (LLM), achieving an impressive 86% recovery rate for selected parts from a system marked as obsolete. Following this successful recovery, all non-usable parts were demilitarized, disposed of, and sold as marketable materials (ferrous and non-ferrous metals), significantly cutting down the project’s overall costs. Upon project completion, around 94% of the launchers’ weight was recovered as reusable parts or recycled.
The recovered parts will have a second life sustaining the German Medium Artillery Rocket System (MARS) II fleet until at least 2035. Furthermore, NSPA consolidated interest from third parties in other remaining parts, resulting in the transfer of other critical components to the United Kingdom, contributing to the upgrade of the nation’s existing fleet. Other assemblies were transferred to NSPA’s in-house repair and maintenance workshop, supplying the spare parts stock for foreseeable repairs.
The project illustrates the successful cooperation within the MLRS community and the potential value of D3 in offering critical components to Nations that may be facing the challenges in procurement of parts, market shortages, long turnaround times for supply, or significant price increases for new parts.
This activity is also a strong example of circular economy, ensuring the long-term provision of otherwise obsolete A0/A1 parts to the German and British fleets. The successful project approach reduced recovery and disposal costs through the consolidation with other MLRS Nations and promoted responsible and sustainable disposal operations.
