New US Robotic 120mm Mortar - Deadly Accurate

Mobile Fire Support System [MFSS] 120mm Mortar

The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab experimental Mobile Fire Support System [MFSS] is a rifled 120mm mortar system. It is the first remotely fired mortar system, and can be fired from anywhere within [range of] communication. The MFSS is equipped with its own Global Positioning System, field radio and fire control computer. The turret has power traverse, elevation and loading capabilities. When the system receives a fire mission over the radio, it can turn, load and fire, within 12 seconds. The new system has a range of 8.2 kilometers and 13 kilometers when using Rocket Assisted Projectiles.

"We've designed the very first robotic gun," Lindsey said. "It allows us to respond faster and much more accurately to fire missions."

The new system has a range of 8.2 kilometers and 13 kilometers when using Rocket Assisted Projectiles. During a test fire, the MFSS, firing from 6,000 meters away, placed nine rounds within a 2-meter circle.

"We have the capability to provide lethal and accurate fire support," said Maj. Lance McDaniel, the ground combat representative for the advanced technology division of the Warfighting Lab. "We're looking to achieve first-round fires for effect."


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Could it be connected to Internet ?

You don't like an internet user, you push the button and.....no more internet user !

It would be cool. If you don't like a post from someone that you don't know ,you have just to push a button and he will not post anymore.

Imagine if these mortars ( mounted with sensors ) could be airdropped in hostile country and then used remotely through a computer link. With accuracy of 2m over 6km, it would be a formidable system.

MS, I was kidding in my post. I understand perfectly what we can do with this weapons. I used 60mm and 81mm mortars ( sigh...there is a long times ago now ),so, I think that's a great weapon.

Specialy when there is a counter-battery fire. With this weapon, only the mortar will be destroyed and we will not have any KIA or woundeds soldiers.

But I don't want to be targeted by this mortar.When a conventional mortar is firing, you can hide you where the mortar shell have fallen. Normally, the next shell will not fall in the same place. But with this one....

I agree ultra.
You never hear the shell that's aimed at you, this baby should be called the whispering death. If the operator can see you, you'll never see or hear it coming.

Yes, this mortar mixed with a drone. What a weapon system !

We are going straight to the real " buttons war "

120 MM Mobile Fire Support System [MFSS] - This weapon does not function completely independently. A crew is still necessary to haul it and load it. What is unique is that it can be directed and fired by a command unit at some distance away (within radio range). It is designed to work with the Battle Command Brigade and Below System. The BCBB system tracks the location of friendly units and known enemy units.

Here is a typical scenario. An enemy unit has been detected and laser designated by a friendly unit. This information is relayed to an Artillery Battery. The BCBB can determine what weapons are in range, and capable of destroying the target. A fire order is issued from the Battery to the crew manning the mortar, specifying the type of ammunition to be used, and quantity. Once the fire order has been recieved by the crew, Battery will specify the grid coordinates of the target, and issue the firing command. The crew will continue to load the weapon until the rounds specified in the fire order have been expended.

Having weapons of this nature connected to the BCBB system allows a commander enormous flexiblility. It also keeps our troops out of harm's way, and that's gotta be good. Check out fas.org for descriptions of the BCBB and the Mobile Fire Support System [MFSS].

Zee ya
texastillidie

[edit on 31-3-2005 by texastillidie]

Robotic weaponry is the future. I was reading about the Army's new SWORDS robot that can be equiped with the M249 SAW and how accurate it is.

To quote from the article which can be found here: www.msnbc.msn.com...

Its developers say the SWORDS not only allows its operators to fire at enemies without exposing themselves to return fire, but also can make them more accurate. A typical soldier who could hit a target the size of a basketball from 300 meters away could hit a target the size of a nickel with the SWORDS, according Quinn.

The better accuracy stems largely from the fact that its gun is mounted on a stable platform and fired electronically, rather than by a soldier’s hands, according to Staff Sgt. Santiago Tordillos of the EOD Technology Directorate at Picatinny. Gone are such issues as trigger recoil, anticipation problems, and pausing the breathing cycle while aiming a weapon.

“It eliminates the majority of shooting errors you would have,” said Tordillos.

Chances are good the SWORDS will get even more deadly in the future. It has been tested with the larger .50 caliber machine guns as well as rocket and grenade launchers — even an experimental weapon made by the Australian company Metal Storm LLC that packs multiple rocket rounds into a single barrel, allowing for much more rapid firing.

“We’ve fired 70 shots at Picatinny and we were 70 for 70 hitting the bull’s-eye,” said Sebasto, boasting of the arsenal’s success with a Vietnam-era rocket launcher mounted on a SWORDS.



This part is pretty amazing and I can only imagine it will get better

"A typical soldier who could hit a target the size of a basketball from 300 meters away could hit a target the size of a nickel with the SWORDS"

I say again, guys. This weapon does not function completely independently. It is a crew-served, breech-loading mortar. .A crew is still necessary to haul it and load it. Once a target has been detected by a forward unit, its coordinates are passed to the fire control system electronically and a fire order appears on the crew's screen. The crew then loads the type of rounds called for in the fire order. The gun slews to the coordinates called for in the fire order and is fired by an electronic command from the controlling officer. Here is a briefing slideshow on the weapon:

www.dtic.mil...

Several new guided shells have been developed for the 120mm including anti-tank (top attack), HE, HE airburst, smoke, and illumination rounds. 120mm shells weigh about 29 pounds (13.2 kg).

The 2 gun section this weapon will be assigned to will normally travel with an infantry company as it's direct fire support. The Company Commander will be able to see the location of all units in his command using the BCBB system. He will issue orders to control traffic behind the Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) so that the maximum number of his assets can fire against the maximum number of known targets.

If fired upon by counter-battery fire, this weapon is manned and would suffer casualties. The defense for this is to fire and move immediately, so the counter-battery fire hits where you were, not where you are.

This mortar will normally will be mounted in an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), such as an M113 so bugging-out is possible. The USMC is experimenting with mounting it in the new Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-M). The IFV will carry the crew and about 50-60 rounds and be attended by an ammo carrier hauling another 100 or so. The towed version of this mortar would only be assigned to light infantry divisions.

Texastillidie

That's just crazy. Why do they keep spending so much on war products. Don't they realize they won't be able to sell them unless there is a war.

What a horrible business to be in.

Lord Altmis for the foreseeable future there will always be more wars. And for these new wars we gotta give our guys new toys. And hey no matter how much I disagree with the current admin, I can't say I'd want us to lose a war just to spite them.

If you guys will check out the slideshow you will find that the control program for this mortar is capable of programming an area for 100% fire coveage using the known burst radius. All the commander has to do is outline an area on the map display and select area coverage. The program will determine how many bursts it will take, and redirect the weapon between each shot. See my last post for the link to the slideshow.

i want like 3 of them

It's not a calliope, but it's getting damn close. More technological fun in store I am sure.