New Israeli 120mm (GPS guided) mortar shell in final stages of development

[GiladS]

Defense industry develops GPS mortar shell

By YAAKOV KATZ (yaakovk@jpost.com)

Implementing the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, Israel Military Industries has designed a mortar shell that uses a satellite guidance system to accurately hit its target.

The 120mm mortar shell is in the final stages of development by IMI and the American Raytheon defense company. The shell has a range of 10 kilometers and with the GPS system hits targets within a three-meter radius.
The built-in guidance system also allow operators to direct the mortar shell to its target with a laser-honing device.

Officials said the "smart mortar" would improve infantry units' ability to neutralize enemy forces that were positioned out of sight. Since the shell is especially accurate, IMI CEO Avi Felder said military units would be able to carry fewer mortar shells into battle while achieving the same level of lethality as in the past.

The new mortar shell was unveiled on Tuesday at a press conference held at IMI headquarters in Ramat Hasaharon ahead of the government-owned defense industry's 75th anniversary next week.

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/8392/satellitekm0.jpg

In 2007, IMI had $575 million in sales, and forecasts for 2008 are that the company will take in $676m., Felder said. It is currently investing $85m. in research and development per year.

One of the company's key products that is currently undergoing final testing is the Iron Fist active protection system for tanks and armored personnel carriers. IMI says it can neutralize all anti-tank threats, including kinetic (those without explosive charges) shells fired by enemy tanks.

Iron Fist is in its final stages of testing, according to Felder, and will be installed on the IDF's new Namer APCs by the end of the year. It will likely become fully operational by the end of the decade.

The IDF plans to install Rafael Defense Systems' Trophy active protection system on Merkava tanks in 2009.
The Iron Fist consists of a radar and passive optical system that detects incoming threats and destroys them within a fraction of a second using a combustible blast interceptor. Unlike the Trophy, which fires off a large number of projectiles, the Iron Fist intercepts incoming threats by using a rocket the shape of a mortar shell that destroys the threat with a blast that crushes its soft components or deflects the missile or kinetic projectile in flight.

Felder said several countries had expressed interest in the Iron Fist and that IMI planned to hold a series of simulations for foreign military officers in the coming months.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220353263631&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Martel]

Interesting stuff ...

[GiladS]

This shell seems taylor made for the IDFs 'Keshet' project.

It is planned that every infantry battalion will recieve M-113A3s equipped with the CARDOM 120mm mortar system.

http://dover.idf.il/NR/rdonlyres/27480E43-BB65-4A43-B15B-3B80C7E60332/0/1s.jpg
http://www.defense-update.com/images_new1/keshet.jpg

Also the fact that the shell can be guided by a laser designator reminded me of this article that was featured not so long ago:
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3649310


All in all this is bound to provide the battalion commander with a lot more independence and less reliance on close air support.

[Excalibur]

very interesting. thanks for posting.
glad to see israel investing in more precise weapon. that will minimize collateral damages in the future.

[The Dane]

This shell seems taylor made for the IDFs 'Keshet' project.

It is planned that every infantry battalion will recieve M-113A3 equipped with the CARDOM 120mm mortar system.


Also the fact that the shell can be guided by a laser designator reminded me of this article that was featured not so long ago:
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3649310

That shell is awesome :)

How many Cardom systems will each InfBtn have?

[IDF_TANKER]

very interesting. thanks for posting.
glad to see israel investing in more precise weapon. that will minimize collateral damages in the future.

That's, I believe, the result of:


Implementing the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, Israel Military Industries has designed a mortar shell that uses a satellite guidance system to accurately hit its target.

[GiladS]

However from what I can gather from the article the IAI Fireball (which was already featured in 2006) seems superior as it has a 15 km range due to its abillity to snap-out front fins so it can glide to the target.

But I guess financial considerations will determine which mortar the IDF shall use.

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/IAI%20Fireball%20120mme.jpg

[The Dane]

These new precision shells and the fact that Cardom can be mounted on a light 4x4 like eg. Supacat(Jackal) must make the system interesting for SF units and other light recce units(PF, Rangers, BRF etc...) p-)

[The Dane]

Cardom video.
http://www.youtube.com/v/n6XXBIysV5I

[kahn267]

amazing the kind of technology they develop... I would love to know about their aerospace technology, must be insaneeeee
what sucks about this kind of technology ie these gps mortars is, even though Israel designs it for the purpose of greatly reducing collateral damage etc, when civilian deaths will occur, they will only blame Israel more for having accurate technology and collateral damage occuring, despite their intentions of developing it for such reason.


Pity that Israel needs to develop such equipment - if the situation was different I'm sure they would be excelling even further in other fields

[GiladS]

Pity that Israel needs to develop such equipment - if the situation was different I'm sure they would be excelling even further in other fields

Such precision guided munitions have other benefits than just preventing collatoral damage to civilians.


Preventing friendly fire
Being a preferable choice to or even replacing close air support
Reducing the amount of munitions that need to be carried by mortar units due to better hit ratio

[GiladS]

These new precision shells and the fact that Cardom can be mounted on a light 4x4 like eg. Supacat(Jackal) must make the system interesting for SF units and other light recce units(PF, Rangers, BRF etc...) p-)

An interesting idea I had was to create mortar squads within the IDFs anti-tank infantry companies.

These sqauds would be based on light 4x4s (armed with the Cardom) utilizing a heat seeking precision shell to knock out MBTs and other armored vehicles. The Swedish Strix mortar shell for example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTvXhfJxxz8

[The Dane]

There's really happening alot within the indirect fire sector in these years.
A brigade with GMLRS, Excalibur, Fireball, Strix and some precise UAV's(Raven B and Scaneagle eg.) would not have much need for CAS.

[-CROAT-SOLDIER-]

Doesn't the Canadian military have these for their artillery rounds also?

[Alpheus]

We are using the Excalibur GPS-guided shell in A-stan.

[domokun]

Interesting...

Precision guided mortar shells with pinpoint accuracy would be very useful in various situations. One thing that comes to my mind is are they cheap enough compared to regular shells. Fireball also is very interesting as it apparently has lot longer range than regular shell and pinpoint accuracy.

[-CROAT-SOLDIER-]

The Israeli M-113A3s CARDOM 120mm mortar system is beautiful.

[Ought Six]

There is a post on MP.net claiming that Patria is developing a version of the Nemo for Greek M113s (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1822451#post1822451). That system could provide more protection for Israeli mortar crews in M113s, as well as a direct fire capability that could prove to be quite useful.

I know that the Israelis are using the CARDOM system because it is both inexpensive and domestically produced. Perhaps the Patria NEMO turret would be a better option for mortar vehicles in tank brigades, while the CARDOM-equipped M113s could still be used in infantry battalions as likely is planned. In a full-blown war with neighboring Arab nations, using 120mm mortar rounds from NEMOs on M113 chassis in direct fire mode against buildings, fortifications and light armored vehicles would allow the tanks to preserve their precious tank gun rounds for directly engaging enemy heavy armor, and allow the tanks to carry an ammo loadout with more APDS and fewer HEAT rounds. Add that to the added top attack antitank and antibunker capability with precision-guided 120mm mortar bombs, and you would have a potent addition to Israel's armored brigades. I am sure Israel's armored brigade commanders have been eying systems like the Nemo and RO turreted 120mm mortar systems with a certain amount of lust.

[Ren987]

An interesting idea I had was to create mortar squads within the IDFs anti-tank infantry companies.

These sqauds would be based on light 4x4s (armed with the Cardom) utilizing a heat seeking precision shell to knock out MBTs and other armored vehicles. The Swedish Strix mortar shell for example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTvXhfJxxz8

That capability already exists within the IDF...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XdDOHgcLGRI

http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/anti-armor/gill_spike/spike_er11.jpg

Better yet would to develop a long-range mortar round such as the FireBall with a dual scene matching autonomous guidance (like the ones present in Spice PGMs (http://Spice%20PGMs) and a Spike-like Fire, Observe and Steer capabilities through an optical fiber or a wireless link up to the gunner command launch unit. But I guess the laser/GPS guided Fireball is more cost-effective...

[The Dane]

That capability already exists within the IDF...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XdDOHgcLGRI

http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/anti-armor/gill_spike/spike_er11.jpg

Better yet would to develop a long-range mortar round such as the FireBall with a dual scene matching autonomous guidance (like the ones present in Spice PGMs (http://Spice%20PGMs) and a Spike-like Fire, Observe and Steer capabilities through an optical fiber or a wireless link up to the gunner command launch unit. But I guess the laser/GPS guided Fireball is more cost-effective...

No it's not, it's just two different capabilities.
The GPS/Laser guidance systems gives forward observers a precision strike system ready to strike 24/7 with pinpoint accuracy. With Spike the forward observer would have to linked up with the launch unit some how, so that he can see what the missile is seeing. It's easier for a FO just to point his target aquistion device at the target and then send the data to the nearste mortar. If it's a moving target you'll have to keep the designator on the target when the grenade comes in, but it's still pretty easy compared to the Spike solution.

[Ren987]

No it's not, it's just two different capabilities.My point is that the Spike ATGM can be used against non-line of sight targets just like a mortar guided munition regardless if it is laser/heat seeking guided. Plus, it can be fired 'blind' and does not recquired a forward observation team to guide it


The GPS/Laser guidance systems gives forward observers a precision strike system ready to strike 24/7 with pinpoint accuracy. With Spike the forward observer would have to linked up with the launch unit some how, so that he can see what the missile is seeing. It's easier for a FO just to point his target aquistion device at the target and then send the data to the nearste mortar. If it's a moving target you'll have to keep the designator on the target when the grenade comes in, but it's still pretty easy compared to the Spike solution.The new Tycoon upgrade (http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJYRLWF9cA) kit for the Spike allows a sensor-to-shooter cycle between reconnaissance team/UAVs and Spike gunners through the sharing of the target and acquisition digital data.

[crush6655]

These new precision shells and the fact that Cardom can be mounted on a light 4x4 like eg. Supacat(Jackal) must make the system interesting for SF units and other light recce units(PF, Rangers, BRF etc...) p-)
New ?
Hahahahaha woot

[frenchy]

The new Tycoon upgrade (http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJYRLWF9cA) kit for the Spike allows a sensor-to-shooter cycle between reconnaissance team/UAVs and Spike gunners through the sharing of the target and acquisition digital data.

Is it already used in the IDF or it's just in testing phase ?

[The Dane]

Defense industry develops GPS mortar shell

By YAAKOV KATZ (yaakovk@jpost.com)

Implementing the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, Israel Military Industries has designed a mortar shell that uses a satellite guidance system to accurately hit its target.

The 120mm mortar shell is in the final stages of development by IMI and the American Raytheon defense company. The shell has a range of 10 kilometers and with the GPS system hits targets within a three-meter radius.
The built-in guidance system also allow operators to direct the mortar shell to its target with a laser-honing device.



http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/8392/satellitekm0.jpg




The 10km range is when it's fired from a "standard"(2metres) tube like M120 or Cardom.
I wonder how far a NEMO mortar with a 3 metre tube can fire it(12-14km) ?
NEMO can fire 10km with a standard round.

[GiladS]

My point is that the Spike ATGM can be used against non-line of sight targets just like a mortar guided munition regardless if it is laser/heat seeking guided. Plus, it can be fired 'blind' and does not recquired a forward observation team to guide it


Good points regarding the Spike-ER.

However I believe IR guided 120mm mortar rounds could be a lot more economical and compact in comparison to the Spike missiles.

Also take note of the fact that in order to hit a target that is not in the line of sight of the operator (while there is no forward observation team), the operator needs to navigate the missile via a fiber-optical wire.

[Cava]

But when it go bad its realy go bad.

[The Dane]

But when it go bad its realy go bad.

Which one ?

[Cava]

Which one ?

That something go wrong when the fire it.

[The Dane]

Combine the new mortar rounds with some of these for longer engagements.


IAI is also developing a larger laser guided weapon based on the Extra rocket (http://www.defense-update.com/products/e/extra.htm), developed under a joint program between IAI and IMI. The new missile called Nimrod Mk 3 will be able to attack targets at ranges beyond 55 km with an accuracy-level within one meter or less, using a combination of inertial/GPS mid-course guidance and laser homing. Nimrod 3 is optimized as anti-structure weapon, employing shaped trajectory capabilities and specialized warhead to effectively and surgically destroy precision targets in built-up area with minimum collateral damage. IAI's Nimrod Mk 1 has been in production since the early 1990s. This long-range laser guided missile has a range of about 26 km. Nimrod Mk1 has been operational for over a decade, in which it accumulated an impressive operational record in combat.

http://www.defense-update.com/events/2008/summary/eurosatory08_weapons.htm

Nimrod MK1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimrod_(missile)

A launcher for four missiles can be mounted on light 4x4 vehicles, just like the Cardom mortar.

[MajorPayne]

I think the IDF were using some sort of GPS guided mortar recently.

Does anyone have any information on any precision guided mortar systems currently in use?

It seems to be a fairly new advancement in mortar technology.

[The Dane]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=141408

Your welcome... ;)

[jontew]

I wouldn't call it new but...Sweden and Switzerland have used guided mortars since 1994.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strix_mortar_round

http://se.youtube.com/v/oY9S-PcKLYs

[TallGuy]

^^
I have a book from '93 that has some pics of a British 81mm precision guided mortar called Merlin...

[Piggy]

Sweden-mortar mine 120mm-stryx
GB-mortar mine 81mm-merlin,
both in AT role.
Yap, I am also interested, what were those air-bursts, well seen at night, orientated towards ground.

[GazB]

The Russians have laser guided munitions for all their artillery including mortars.
From Smelchak at 240mm with a range of 9.2km and a TNT payload of 32kgs with a total shell weight of 134.2kgs, through to the GRAN 120mm guided mortar round with a range of 9km and a total round weight of 27kgs.

[Koskela]

Sweden-mortar mine 120mm-stryx
GB-mortar mine 81mm-merlin,
both in AT role.
Yap, I am also interested, what were those air-bursts, well seen at night, orientated towards ground.

I think that´s WP airburst, but I don´t think that the FC ordered a smoke mission...

/K

[Chrisis]

I think you mean the Fireball made by IAI.

It is a very effective weapon with a range of 15km.

source: http://defense-update.com/products/f/Fireball.htm