HIMARS in a Box: U.S. Converts Shipping Container into Missile Launcher

U.S. engineers have developed a prototype missile launcher housed inside a standard shipping container, capable of firing munitions used by the HIMARS system.

The system, part of the Palletized Field Artillery Launcher (PFAL) project, is already in use by U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), according to a report by The War Zone.

The PFAL’s key feature is its concealment: the launcher is entirely enclosed within a conventional container, with no visible external modifications.

This allows it to blend in with civilian cargo, enhancing camouflage and operational mobility.

The containerized system can be transported by truck, rail, or ship, offering a flexible deployment platform.

PFAL uses standard launch modules similar to those employed by the M142 HIMARS. Each module can hold six 227 mm guided rockets, one ATACMS ballistic missile, or two Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). The system accommodates two such modules, doubling its potential firepower compared to HIMARS.

• PFAL target engagement range:
• GMLRS (227 mm): up to 80 km
• Extended-range GMLRS: up to 150 km
• ATACMS: up to 300 km
• PrSM: up to 500 km (with further range increases expected)

Unlike the HIMARS, PFAL is not limited to vehicle-mounted launchers. It can also be deployed from stationary positions, trailers, or maritime platforms.

At least one prototype has reportedly been tested at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The U.S. military is considering expanding the concept to integrate new types of weapons and enable unmanned launch operations.