 Army eyes laser-guided mortar system Picatinny Arsenal NJ (UPI) Mar 06, 2017 - The U.S. Army plans to issue contracts this year for development of a next-generation laser-guided 120mm mortar system. The new precision high explosive guided mortar, which will replace the current system, eliminates the need to typically fire several rounds to adjust fire for accurate strikes and also incorporate threat counter-measures and enhanced mobility. "We're going to improve upon the existing technology and incorporate next-generation upgrades into HEGM, such as increased threat countermeasures and enhanced maneuverability," Lt. Col. Anthony Gibbs, of Product Manager Guided Precision Munitions and Mortar Systems, which is part of the Program Executive Office Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., said in a press release. "With a precision mortar capability, you're able to quickly come in, establish, fire and with one round you're able to get effects," Gibbs said. "If counter-fire is a threat, a precision mortar gives you the ability to get first round effects and then reposition." The Army recently closed the solicitation phase. Multiple contracts will be awarded this fiscal year. Companies that receive contracts will then create and deliver potential HEGM solutions for the U.S. government to test. A full and open competition will be conducted in 2018 to select the final solution, the Army said.
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The European Defense Agency recently completed the Course Correction Fuze project, an effort aimed at improving the accuracy for artillery munitions.
The Course Correcting Fuze, or CCF, is designed to provide near-precision capabilities for conventional munitions by placing fins in the fuze body. Researchers say this approach can be used along with GPS technologies to make strikes with 155mm and 105mm munitions more accurate.
The EDA began the CCF project in 2012 with the agency's Smart Munition Working Group with the goal of identifying affordable solutions for reducing ballistic dispersion and boosting accuracy for conventional munitions.
Munition experts from EDA member states Belgium, Poland, Sweden and Britain participated in the project with additional support from Norway. Integration methods were developed in 2016 and delivered in early 2017.
The investigation was divided into three parts. For the first phase, researchers collected information on CCF solutions. Some solutions involved airbrakes for reducing down-range dispersion, while others used fixed or movable canards to reduce down-range and cross-range dispersion.
During the second phase, investigators integrated five CCF solutions into artillery systems used by EDA member states. The third phase focused on developing recommendations for participating armed forces.
The agency concluded it would be beneficial for EDA member states to develop common munitions and artillery systems, allowing CCF solutions to be integrated more easily.
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