Zukunft Mörser

[Broensen]

Israelische Konkurrenz für NEMO in Sicht:

DSEI 2023 – Elbit Systems unveils Crossbow, its next generation 120 mm turreted mortar system

The Crossbow was designed to fit on 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles and, of course, also on tracked vehicles.

The company offers the Crossbow with a basic Level 1 protection, but the structure is capable to accept add-on armour kits that bring it up to Level 4, should the customer require it, With that protection the Crossbow weight will not exceed 3.2 tonnes.

The system is fully automated, and is interfaced with the fire control system (FCS) which in turn talks to the battle management system. Once the firing mission assigned, the vehicle comes to a halt and the mortar is ready to fire, the first round being off in less than 30 seconds. Automatic loading allows firing 10 rounds in the first minute, sustained firing rate being 6 rounds per minute.

Ammunition is hosted in a carousel from which the automatic loading system picks it up and rams the round in the breech which closes automatically. If the firing solution has been provided in time the operator will load the rounds in the carousel fitted with the right number of charges; in case of immediate action the carousel geometry allows him or her to take off the exceeding charges.

The Crossbow is fitted with a 3 meters long barrel that allows a range of around 10 km with maximum charge. It can fire all standard 120 mm ammunition of the high explosive, illuminant and smoke type, as well as the company Iron Sting guided ammunition. EDR On-Line understood that in this case the loading system would automatically load the data in the round with inputs coming from the FCS. According to Elbit Systems the Crossbow can fire on the move.

The Crossbow has an elevation arc of +87°/-3° and is therefore also capable to carry out direct fire actions, should the need arise. It also feature a multiple round simultaneous impact mode, where a maximum of six rounds would fall together on the target at the same time. Of course due to the different trajectory this cannot happen at all ranges, the capability being implemented in the 2.5-5 km range.

Der Turm ist größer als bei NEMO, das lässt mich vermuten, dass dieses System sich besser auf flacheren Wannen integrieren lässt als das bei NEMO der Fall ist.

Rendering des Turms auf GTK BOXER

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Außerdem ein weiteres Mörsersystem für leichte Radfahrzeuge, diesmal aus Singapur:
DSEI 2023 – GDAMS, a lightweight vehicle deployable 120 mm from ST Engineering