The USMC purchases French Heavy Mortars

[fantassin]

Major success in the United States:
TDA to supply weapon system for US Marine Corps' Expeditionary Fire Support System

Neuilly-sur-Seine, 22 November 2004: The consortium led by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), which includes TDA*, has been selected by the US Marine Corps to develop and produce the future Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS), transportable by the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The EFSS will comprise a prime mover vehicle, 120 mm mortar, ammunition supply vehicle and trailer, fire control support and complete family of ammunition. The contract is worth 240 million euros (296 million dollars). TDA's share of this six-year programme will amount to around 80 million euros if all options are exercised.
TDA will supply the EFSS weapon system, comprising its 120 mm rifled towed mortar, the 120 RT, already in service with the armed forces of twenty-four countries, including four NATO members, and the associated family of ammunition. In the longer term, the US Marine Corps' ammunition requirements will continue throughout the weapon system's service life of around thirty years. The Marine Corps' selection of the TDA mortar confirms the inherent superiority of rifled technology for 120 mm mortars.
This latest success strengthens Thales' position in the United States by extending its activities to weapon systems for land forces. In 2001, Thales set up ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS), the first-ever transatlantic defence company and the world leader in air defence systems. With more than 50,000 software-defined tactical radios delivered to Special Forces and Armies in a number of countries around the world, Thales Communications, Inc. is a world leader in secure, tactical, handheld miniature radio equipment. In 2003, Thales, which employs 3,000 people in North America, generated revenues of around one billion dollars in the United States, accounting for about ten percent of total sales.



http://www.thales-communications.com/communications/newsroom_uk/pr_041122.html

[martinexsquaddie]

so the us marines will start practising there surrender drills ('rofl')

[Clarsachier]

Hmm, they'll have to make sure to give them a PC name...

[Gordon]

The 120mm "Freedom" mortar.

[DANJANOU]

If it's good kit and gets the job done, who cares who makes it.

[Bluezoo]

Congratulations! rofl

[fantassin]

http://www.france-expo.com/exp/tda/120.jpg


The French version-the RTF1 120 mm mortar.

Combat proven in Chad, Rwanda, GW1, Bosnia...among other places.

[moughoun]

no!!, the French are evil, the Marine's can't use them, bringing freedom..................with a french weapon!!!............heresey p-)

[Bombtrack]

http://www.france-expo.com/exp/tda/120.jpg


The French version-the RTF1 120 mm mortar.

Nice I was just about to ask for a pic
I love mortars

[BlackFlag]

so the us marines will start practising there surrender drills ('rofl') no such thing for Marines.

[FDF_Hemppis]

...120 mm rifled towed mortar, the 120 RT...

Rifled mortar? :roll:

[fantassin]

MO 120 RT


The MO 120 RT is a highly mobile 120mm RIFLED towed mortar manufactured by TDA Armaments, a Thales France and EADS of Germany joint venture.

This weapon is capable of precisely engaging targets ranging up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) using rocket assisted projectile (RAP) or 9 kilometers (5 miles) using non-assisted ammunition. Overall, this weapon is lightweight enough to be towed by HMMWV class vehicles and airlifted by helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft.

The Mobile Dragon Fire is a variant that fits into US Marine Corps' LAV vehicles. The 2R2M or 120 2R2M is an advanced derivative intended for both wheeled and tracked armored mortar vehicles.

120 RT RIFLED mortar family feature an accurate targeting system relying on GPS feed data and a powerful fire computer which calculates the fire sequence within three to five seconds. The RIFLED mortar also supports high rates of fire, roughly 18 rounds per minute.

The MO 120 RT is currently in service with the French Army and other 23 armies worldwide including three NATO countries. In addition to ground and airborne carriers, the 120 RT can be parachuted down mounted on a pallet. It can fire a broad range of munitions. In 2002, it was integrated into French Army's VAB 6x6 armored vehicle with the effort being funded by DGA. In 2004, it was selected by General Dynamics for the EFSS program to provide battlefield indirect/direct fire for the US Marine Corps.



Specifications

Diameter/Caliber
120mm
4.72-in

Max Range
13,000 m
14,286 yd

Rate of Fire
18 rounds/min


Max Weight
1,500 kg
3,307-lb

Min Range
1,100 m
1,209 yd

Wheels
2


RT means "Rifled, Towed" in French; the 120 mm RTF1 has been in use for over 20 years in france and it's an excellent design, the rifling making for longer and more accurate range.

[Avary]

Yep. The barrel is rifled and the rounds have grooves and notches to fit the rifling. It both improves range and accuracy.

That mortar is a pretty fine piece of kit. Packs the firepower of a 105mm howitzer for a fraction of the price.

Great investment for the Marines.

--Edit: Fantassin was faster on the draw--

[Ratamacue]

Hey, if it's a good piece of kit, sounds good to me. I'd rather the Marines have a quality weapon system from France than a **** one made in the USA.

[Belial]

It's a pretty niece piece of kit.

You can see a picture of two MO 120 on an airdrop pallet in this month's issue of RAIDS.

[Fenna]

Thales are cool woot

[Yeoman]

awesome.
120's are one of the most coolest pieces of kit that anyone can have. I'd kill to fire one.
Greg

[szr]

no!!, the French are evil, the Marine's can't use them, bringing freedom..................with a french weapon!!!............heresey p-)Hey, if the French aren't willing to bring freedom with their own weapons, US Marines are more than up to the challenge. p-)

[Sgt Kanderer]

The USMC is all ready using our "sophie" NVG (Long Range Thermal Imager), maybe one day they also buy our CAESAR! ;) [/quote]

[Midav]

Cool. Whatever works.

[johnyjee]

nooooooo, terrorist have 120mm mortar now!

[Midav]

nooooooo, terrorist have 120mm mortar now!

They do. However, now the USMC has a new mortar system to fire back at said terrorist.

[Hellfish]

The Army is evaluating the Caesar now.

The contract mentions a prime mover for the mortar - I'm presuming it's not the humvee. What is it? The 6x6 Gator?

I know at Fort Benning the 11Cs used to pull around their 120mm mortars on occassion... made me stop complaining about us 11Bs humping with a 60lb rucksack for sure.

[Ratamacue]

The contract mentions a prime mover for the mortar - I'm presuming it's not the humvee. What is it? The 6x6 Gator?
My guess would be the AAV or LAV-25.

[Belial]

the weight and size of the MO 120 RT make it able to be towed by a humvee

here it is, towed by a VAB :

http://www.chars-francais.net/images/archives/vab_vtt/vab_063.jpg
http://www.chars-francais.net/images/archives/vab_vtt/vab_099.jpg
http://www.chars-francais.net/images/archives/vab_vtt/vab_100.jpg

http://www.chars-francais.net/images/plans/vab/vab_vtm120.jpg

[0341]

is there going to be 2 mortar plt in Wpns Co 1 for 81s and 1 for 120s????

[JTAR7242]

Hmm, they'll have to make sure to give them a PC name...Nah, this is the Marine Corps we're talking about. It will likely just be called by its designator, and given some kind of violent nickname. :lol:

[Hadamar]

http://img227.exs.cx/img227/5431/1202r2mmobile3ma.jpg

http://img65.exs.cx/img65/8676/2r2mlaviiifiring0gb.jpg


A TDA 2R2RM rifled mortar installed on a LAV-3 chassis is shown here being fired by a USMC crew during a series of evaluation tests in the framework of Exercise "Desert Scimitar" in March 2002. The standard LAV-3 mortar carriers in service with the USMC are equipped with a 81mm weapon.

(Photo: USMC / Sgt. Ken Griffin)

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9776/2r2mbattery3bb.jpg

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/4388/2r2mm113piranha4ce.jpg

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9761/2r2mmowagpiranha7sj.jpg

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/7008/2r2mpiranha8pe.jpg


The 2R2M, seen here loading a round, has an unusually high accuracy (30 metres circular error probable) and a lethality said to be close to that of a 155 mm calibre. It has been successfully fired in Saudi Arabia in 2000 and is qualified on both the wheeled Piranha 8 x 8 and the tracked M 113. (TDA)

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9462/dragonfire7pw.jpg


Mobile mortars to shoot and scoot
Eric H Biass, Terry J Gander. Armada International. Zurich: Aug/Sep 2001.


The French TDA 2R2M 120 mm rifled mortar has several futuristic applications and has been demonstrated both from the wheeled Mowag Piranha 8 x 8 and the United Defense M113.

At first sight the proposed opentopped installation resembles that of many existing mortar carriers, the difference being that the 2R2M mortar is intended to be pointed remotely and loaded automatically. On-board fire control systems are able to determine the target and the firing position coordinates, make the necessary firing calculations and lay the barrel accordingly, the crew merely monitoring matters.

TDA has developed the possibilities of this system to a stage known as the Dragonfire. For this the 2R2M mortar is towed or dropped into a firing position and left, the idea being that it could be remotely controlled. Firing trials with the US Marine Corps undertaken in January and again in March 2000 and are said to have caused quite an impression, particularly with regards to range and accuracy. Strangely, the US Marine Corps also requested a 'standard' LAVmounted 2R2M for high-level military exercises involving thirteen km-range HE and illuminating rounds as well as French smoothbore rounds (apparently US officers were totally bemused by the fact that use of old-stock smoothbore ammunition with the rifled 120 mm was common practice in the French Army for training purposes).

According to TDA, and as these lines are being written, tests should start to demonstrate that off-the-shelf US Army smooth-bore mortar rounds are indeed compatible with the rifled mortar of the 2R2M and thereby confirm full interoperability of the weapon. The 2R2M was personally fired by a high-ranking US Army officer during a visit to France. The system will be presented on 12 and 13 June, 2001 at the Ft. Benning Infantry Conference. Also of particular interest is the 17 km range achieved by the RapVLR round. TDA is also preparing to launch a new cargo round into production for a foreign customer in 2002. Little is know for the time being on the type of grenades carried, but the French DGA is said to be planning an evaluation campaign that could lead to a French Army order around 2003 or 2004. TDA told Armada that semiactive laser guidance like the Russian Gran was being investigated.


http://img232.exs.cx/img232/3189/marinesdragonfire1fp.jpg


The US Marines Warfighting Labs is developing the DRAGON FIRE (TDA 2R2M weapon) as a stand-alone mortar system (a.k.a. "mortar box") that would be brought into firing position by a V-22 OSPREY or a HMMWV, and then operated under remote radio control. (Photo: FAS)

http://img232.exs.cx/img232/6451/tdadragonfire3ve.jpg



Mortars for the 21st century
Tim Ripley. Armada International. Zurich: Oct/Nov 1998.Vol.22, Iss. 5; pg. 8, 7 pgs

On 8 June 1995, two 120 mm mortar platoons of the French Foreign Legion were loaded onto Puma transport helicopters on the deck of an amphibious landing ship and flown directly to Mount Igman, overlooking Sarajevo. Within minutes the Legionnaires were ready to fire to protect UN troops in the Bosnian capital.

For over a month the 12 TDA MO 120 RT mortars were the only indirect fire weapons available to the beleaguered French UN garrison in the city until British artillery was released to join them. With a range of almost 13 kilometres, the French mortars were able to hit targets throughout the city. Over three months the French, and later Royal Netherlands Marines, 120 mm mortar crews fired more than 800 rounds at Bosnian Serb targets causing considerable damage and inflicting many casualties. "The Serbs are in a big boys game now" commented one UN officer at the time. As said in the introduction, mortars are comparatively easy to use. This is perhaps the main reason why the infantry components of most armies keenly hold on to their mortars and fiercely resist attempts to pool them as brigade or divisional assets. Nothing reassures infantry more than being able to call up fire support on their own battalion radio net, without having to go through several headquarters.



MBDA Alfo
http://www.mbda.net/site/doc_imp/l_alfo.pdf

[Hellfish]

The contract mentions a prime mover for the mortar - I'm presuming it's not the humvee. What is it? The 6x6 Gator?
My guess would be the AAV or LAV-25.

Neither of which is transportable by CV-22. ;)

I'm wondering - will this replace the 155mm guns in the MEU (at least until the M777 LWH comes online)?

[Ratamacue]

The contract mentions a prime mover for the mortar - I'm presuming it's not the humvee. What is it? The 6x6 Gator?
My guess would be the AAV or LAV-25.
Neither of which is transportable by CV-22. ;)

I'm wondering - will this replace the 155mm guns in the MEU (at least until the M777 LWH comes online)?
Yeah, my bad. I was thinking of the CH-53's payload weight. I guess that a Humvee could be carried externally by the MV-22 though, right?

[Belial]

we're talking about a towed mortar system here and not the 2R2M self propelled heavy mortar


the french army also developped some kinde of aeromobile artillery raids in which the dismounted mortars are put in the back of PUMA helicopters along with their crew and ammo

[Hellfish]

The contract mentions a prime mover for the mortar - I'm presuming it's not the humvee. What is it? The 6x6 Gator?
My guess would be the AAV or LAV-25.
Neither of which is transportable by CV-22. ;)

I'm wondering - will this replace the 155mm guns in the MEU (at least until the M777 LWH comes online)?
Yeah, my bad. I was thinking of the CH-53's payload weight. I guess that a Humvee could be carried externally by the MV-22 though, right?

I think the humvee is Osprey-compatible as an external load. Sling loading it, however, kind of defeats the purpose of having an Osprey in the first place (speed) because you can't cruise like a plane with almost 5 tons of crap hanging off of you.

I thought that 6x6 Gator because it's small enough to fit inside the cabin of an Osprey, I think. I don't know of any other vehicle small enough to do so.

[Hadamar]

We could always hope for the Quad Tiltrotor.

http://img213.exs.cx/img213/804/qtrbw5td.jpg


The Bell Quad Tiltrotor Airlift Technology for Army Transformation

FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW - July 19, 2004 - The United States Army's new thrust to transform itself, giving it the ability to move a medium force anywhere in the world to deter aggression and stop conflict quickly, is well underway. Contracts are ready to be let to build or buy an interim combat vehicle that has the firepower and mobility to counter expected enemies well into the 21st century.

In addition, the Army is studying the possibility of a future force that will bring even more firepower and maneuverability to the medium force with a system-of-systems approach embodied in the Future Combat System. The American service whose charter is to "fight and win our Nation's wars" is doing its part to reach a capability that can truly respond to the future threats on tomorrow's battlefields.

These forces are being designed specifically to be delivered to the region by strategic airlift followed by tactical, intra-theater airlift to the objective, and the goal is to be engaged within 96 hours.

The Army is also calling for a deployment capability to include vertical envelopment. It accurately states that there are not enough runways around the world that are capable of handling today's workhorse intra-theater airlifter, the C-130 Hercules cargo plane, to allow the medium force to reach its goal of deploying a brigade in 96 hours ANYWHERE in the world.

The Army Chief has asked the Air Force to help them in this regard. As the Army transforms itself, it either needs the Air Force to step up and supply the required tactical airlift to the battle, or it needs to develop and field its own intra-theater airlift capability.

This is where the Bell Quad Tiltrotor, or QTR can really make a difference. This concept aircraft can lift the Current or the Future force directly to the battle and supply that vertical envelopment the Army requests. With a fuselage larger than the venerable C-130, and the capability to strategically self-deploy - with a 20 ton payload - and move combat forces forward without the need for runways or airports, the QTR opens up the last obstacle to the Army's vision.

Massive supplies are needed to sustain engaged forces on the battlefield. Moving those supplies through choke points can hamper the effectiveness of even the most potent fighting force. These choke points provide the enemy an opportunity to interdict these supplies using asymmetric warfare techniques. If America's foes around the world learned anything from the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, it was that it doesn't pay to fight our strengths. The enemy that determines how to strike us at our weakest points will give us the greater challenge. The QTR can eliminate these choke points, counter some of the asymmetric opportunities, and provide multiple supply routes, causing the enemy to have to cover every possible route and complicating his defenses.

Also, the QTR can go anywhere, allowing the allied commander to take advantage of terrain and natural barriers. He can cross rivers without the need for bridges and can move fuel to ground vehicles and water, food and ammunition to troops without securing roads and overland routes. He can drop medium forces behind the enemy and attack from unexpected directions. The QTR can deliver Strykers, FCS, HMMWVs, trucks, trailers, ISO containers and palletized cargo anywhere on the battlefield. Of particular interest to the United States Army, the QTR is being designed to allow an up-armored Stryker to roll on and roll off the aircraft with no adjustments required.

It can land in city parking lots, soccer fields and school grounds, freeways as well as seaports and cargo staging areas. Since bulk liquid is over 75% of the tonnage needed in wartime operations, the Quad Tiltrotor is uniquely designed for that mission. It can supply up to 4400 gallons on each trip - directly to the ground commander, or resupply a Forward Arming & Refuel Point (FARP) without need for an airfield and subsequent transfer of cargo from aircraft to trucks.

Its 300+ mph speed, 1000+ mile range and hover capability will allow the QTR to deliver supplies directly from supply ships before the ships reach port. Many supplies can be off-loaded, even if the port is blocked. In many parts of the world port facilities are far away, making it difficult to resupply allied forces. The QTR can provide quick response with minimum infrastructure and host nation support.

Late last year the QTR began wind tunnel testing at the Texas A&M University's 7x10 foot low speed wind tunnel. The results of the tests are very positive.

Advanced technology work in the field of flow control is still underway to reduce QTR drag and increase payload by reducing download. More producible actuators are being investigated, and additional wind tunnel tests are expected to show drag reduction at Texas A&M. As we determine flow control actuators appropriate for production they will be considered for all Tiltrotors to improve performance.

The Army needs the QTR to round out the needed lift for its future force. Whether Army or Air Force pilots fly it is not the issue, but vertical envelopment is required to meet the Army's ambitious objectives in the next decade. Downsizing the bulk and weight of your fighting force is one thing - and the Army has a roadmap to meet that goal. But if you still need airports, seaports and other fixed infrastructure to deliver your equipment to the battle, you are playing into the hands of the asymmetric, savvy foe. What is needed is an aircraft that meets the lift requirements, but is free from the infrastructure ball and chain. The Quad Tiltrotor is that aircraft. Now exceeding its goals in its third of four planned engineering design contracts with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the QTR is ready to accept the challenge.

Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, is the world's leading manufacturer of vertical lift aircraft. Bell has manufactured more than 35,000 helicopters; flying in more than 120 countries. The current line includes a full range of commercial and military helicopters as well as a Family of Tiltrotor Aircraft ranging from the Eagle Eye UAV, to the V-22 Osprey for the US military, as well as the BA609 nine passenger civil tiltrotor aircraft.

Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in nearly 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.


http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/ewc/Spivey1.pdf
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/ewc/Spivey2.pdf

[fantassin]

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/album70/aln.sized.jpg

A French Heavy Mortar Platoon (SAM in French) about to fire its 120 mm RTF1 mortars.