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New developments in fire support at AUSA were highlighted through
introduction of the upgraded M-109A6 Paladin system. BAE Systems
unveiled the latest upgrade for the M-109 self propelled gun,
under development for the U.S. Army under a Public-Private Partnership
(P3) signed between BAE Systems and the Army's Tank Automotive
& Armaments Command (TACOM), Program Executive Office for
Ground Combat Systems, Project Manager - Heavy Brigade Combat
Team (HBCT) and the Anniston Army Depot. The new upgrade called
Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program is expected to be
carried out during upcoming reset of M109A6 Paladin SP howitzers
and M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicles (FAASV).
These activities will be undertaken by the Anniston depot. The
M109A6-PIM is considered to be the most cost-effective method
to significantly improve sustainability and survivability, while
reducing the logistics burden on the HBCT and supporting fires
brigade.
The M109A6-PIM uses the existing main armament
and recently designed cab structure, while replacing outmoded
chassis components with advanced elements from the Bradley Combat
Systems, to increase sustainability and commonality across the
HBCT. The upgrade will also introduce select technologies from
the Future Combat Systems Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS/C),
including an automated projectile loader and modern electric
gun drive systems, replacing the current hydraulically operated
elevation and azimuth drives, designed in the early 1960s. The
electric gun and ammunition handling components, as well as
a micro-climate (air conditioning) system, will be powered by
BAE Systems’ Common Modular Power System (CMPS), recently
elected for installation on Stryker and HMMWV. The system featured
on the M109A6-PIM is capable of providing 35 kilowatts of 600-volt
direct current which can be used for voltage conversion and
can support other higher power loads required within the Paladin
platform.
 Modern
armies, particularly the US and British armies are reevaluating
the role of the light mortar, recognizing its contribution to
provide close, accurate and self-sustained support at company
and battalion level. These small caliber weapons, including
60, 81 and 120mm tubes offer mechanized and dismounted units
effective, accurate firepower capable of hitting targets at
'non-line of sight' engagement, particularly in urban, mountainous
and densely vegetated areas, including jungle or forest. Self
propelled mortars operated by the US Army in the Stryker brigades
are operated as a self-propelled fire bases, fielding 120, 81
and 60 mm tubes. The British Army is also considering using
this concept with its FRES IFS mortar carrier variant, which
will include a 60mm and 81mm tubes, with a growth option to
120mm.
The 60 mm mortars are becoming a popular weapon
of choice among peacekeeping forces, engaged in war against
terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, where they are rapidly fielded
as low-cost, highly effective defensive or offensive weapon
to improve the integral fire support of small contingent forces
fielded by contributing NATO members. Old generation tubes,
including 60mm and 51mm tubes were quite popular in the past,
but in recent years were practically shelved due ammunition
obsolescence. The British Army already decided to phase out
its 51 mm tubes in favor of 60 mm mortars, while the US Army
is currently considering a similar move. The Israeli army fields
60 mm tubes with all tanks and heavy APCs as a lesson from the
1973 Yom Kippur war.
 As
one of the innovators in this field, Israel's mortar expert
Soltam Systems introduced a new, lightweight C-06 60mm mortar
system offering 20% weight reduction by utilizing forged aluminum
base plate, lightweight bipod and highly efficient tube, capable
of firing mortar bombs with M-38A1 proximity fuzes, dramatically
increasing the lethality of the weapon against unprotected targets,
while minimizing collateral damage by using smaller caliber
bombs. In fact, a two man firing team can rapidly generate continuous
fire for effect within very short time, in direct support of
their units. Mortars are usually operated manually at targets
visible by a fire director or the firing team. Firing at high
precision at a specific GPS location can achieved within less
than 30 seconds with this weapon, using Soltam's hand-held fire
control computer, which supports the entire range of tubes,
including 120, 81 and 60mm.
 DARPA
and BAE Systems have more ambitious plans for the 60 mm mortar.
At AUSA 2007 BAE Systems displayed the latest model of the Optically
Directed Advanced Munition (ODAM), developed under a $9 million
program awarded in 2005 by darpa. Under this initiative, BAE
Systems is planning to demonstrate a laser-guided, low cost
optical seeker for the 60mm mortar. The guidance kit will be
designed to replace the current 60mm mortar fuse to improve
firing precision. Additionally, research will be done with explosives
to improve the effectiveness of 60mm explosive rounds. Accroding
to DARPA, the goal is to develop a 60mm projectile with the
effectiveness of a 105mm high explosive projectile. If fielded,
such systems could improve the effectiveness of small dismounted
units, employing precision indirect munitions that can operate
across multiple environments, including urban and mountaneous
terrain.
One of the major displays by Lockheed Martin
was an operational prototype of the U.S. Army's new Enhanced
AN/TPQ-36 radar, known as the EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition
Radar. In January 2007 Lockheed Martin was selected as prime
contractor of on this program. EQ-36 will be able to detect,
classify, track and determine the location of enemy indirect
fire such as mortars, artillery and rockets in either 90 degree
or 360 degree modes. The 360 degree mode is of special advantage
for force protection in a modern, asymmetric warfare. Such performance
poses more challenging task for current artillery location radars,
covering a limited 90 degrees sector.
Other topics covered in this review:
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