The former "cannon cockers" and "grunts" here at TB2K can immediately see what this potentially brings to the table....
For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.janes.com/article/64190/...with-its-concept-for-an-advanced-81-mm-mortar
http://www.janes.com/images/assets/190/64190/1651212_-_main.jpg
NSWC Dahlgren, Virginia, is leading the effort to design a more advanced 81 mm mortar with tail fins and wings to fly further and have greater accuracy than the current mortar. Source: IHS/Geoff Fein
Infantry Weapons
USN shows the art of the possible with its concept for an advanced 81 mm mortar
Geoff Fein, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia - IHS Jane's International Defence Review
29 September 2016
The US Navy is developing an upgrade to the 81 mm mortar that can fly further and is more accurate than the legacy weapon yet launches from the existing mortar tube.
Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division, Virginia, has been test firing inert Advanced Capability Extended Range Mortars (ACERM), most recently achieving a range of 22.6 km, which is a 200% increase in performance, an ACERM programme official told IHS Jane's at the Modern Day Marine exposition at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, on 27 September.
Two previous tests in 2015 demonstrated a maximum range of 19.1 km and 13.7 km GPS guide-to-hit with a 10 m circular error probable (CEP).
The idea for ACERM was born from a previous effort that looked at adding something akin to a kit to the existing 81 mm mortar, the official said
ACERM team was given a new direction to get as much performance as they could while keeping the mortar's unit production cost reasonable.
"We did a trade space of whether we want to put a rocket, wings, or other things on it," the official said. "The trade space showed that having wings and flying as a glider was really the most cost-effective way to get big increases in range."
Besides, rockets are expensive and have reliability issues, the official added.
To make the mortar go further with more accuracy NSWC Dahlgren added wings to provide aerodynamic lift and canards to supply guidance. ACERM is equipped with both GPS and a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker. Aerojet is designing the warhead, which has yet to be tested on ACERM.
The airframe was developed by NSWC Dahlgren, the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), and United Technologies Aerospace.
The Low Cost SAL Seeker (LCSS) will likely enable ACERM to be used against moving targets, the official said.
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(325 of 515 words)
For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.janes.com/article/64190/...with-its-concept-for-an-advanced-81-mm-mortar
http://www.janes.com/images/assets/190/64190/1651212_-_main.jpg
NSWC Dahlgren, Virginia, is leading the effort to design a more advanced 81 mm mortar with tail fins and wings to fly further and have greater accuracy than the current mortar. Source: IHS/Geoff Fein
Infantry Weapons
USN shows the art of the possible with its concept for an advanced 81 mm mortar
Geoff Fein, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia - IHS Jane's International Defence Review
29 September 2016
The US Navy is developing an upgrade to the 81 mm mortar that can fly further and is more accurate than the legacy weapon yet launches from the existing mortar tube.
Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division, Virginia, has been test firing inert Advanced Capability Extended Range Mortars (ACERM), most recently achieving a range of 22.6 km, which is a 200% increase in performance, an ACERM programme official told IHS Jane's at the Modern Day Marine exposition at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, on 27 September.
Two previous tests in 2015 demonstrated a maximum range of 19.1 km and 13.7 km GPS guide-to-hit with a 10 m circular error probable (CEP).
The idea for ACERM was born from a previous effort that looked at adding something akin to a kit to the existing 81 mm mortar, the official said
ACERM team was given a new direction to get as much performance as they could while keeping the mortar's unit production cost reasonable.
"We did a trade space of whether we want to put a rocket, wings, or other things on it," the official said. "The trade space showed that having wings and flying as a glider was really the most cost-effective way to get big increases in range."
Besides, rockets are expensive and have reliability issues, the official added.
To make the mortar go further with more accuracy NSWC Dahlgren added wings to provide aerodynamic lift and canards to supply guidance. ACERM is equipped with both GPS and a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker. Aerojet is designing the warhead, which has yet to be tested on ACERM.
The airframe was developed by NSWC Dahlgren, the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), and United Technologies Aerospace.
The Low Cost SAL Seeker (LCSS) will likely enable ACERM to be used against moving targets, the official said.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
To read the full article, Client Login
(325 of 515 words)
