Since 1997 the US Marine Corps Warfighting laboratory is experimenting the Dragon Fire, Expeditionary Fire Support System – a mortar based system that designed to provide mobile fire support for expeditionary forces. Dragon Fire I system demonstrator that utilized a 120mm rifled, recoiling, self-loading mortar, that can fire rifled or smoothbore ammunition. The original system had a weight of 7,000 pounds, but the new version, Dragon Fire II weighs only 3,200 pounds, and will be capable of deployment in a towed, heliborne and mounted versions. Dragon Fire II is the follow-on experimentation phase of the program, which utilizes a towed by a tactical vehicle (such as the HUMMV) or internally mounted on a LAV The mortar has a range of 8,200 meters (13,000 m’ with rocket assisted projectiles). It can fire 10 rounds per minute for 2 minutes, or four rounds per minute sustained fire. The system has an on-board digital communications, navigation and computation facilities to enable effective precision fire at a closed “sensor-to-shooter” loop. The USMC Warfighting Lab is also experimenting with remote control capability and stabilization that will enable fire on the move for improved agility and responsiveness. The system can be deployed from amphibious ships, internally, in CH-53 helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Dragon Fire II EFSS systems transitioned into a spiral acquisition with the award of the program to General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems (GD OTS) in October 2004. GD OTS is cooperating with TDA Armaments SAS, a joint venture between Thales and EADS Deutchland, to produce ammunition for these mortars.
Iron Beam 450 Completes Testing, Soon to Join With Operational Air Defense Units
Israel’s Iron Beam 450 high-power laser system has completed final testing, marking a major leap in air defense. Developed by Rafael, it offers precise, cost-effective interception of rockets, UAVs, and mortars, and is set for IDF deployment by 2025.
Barrett Develops a New Precision Grenade Rifle System (PGS)
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing has been selected as the winner of the U.S. Army's xTech Soldier Lethality competition, securing a contract to develop an advanced 30mm precision grenade rifle system. The new system features programmable...
Modular Turrets for Localized AFV Manufacturing
European defense manufacturers are accelerating domestic production capabilities of Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV) amid ongoing regional security tensions. Patria and General Dynamics European Land Systems initiated 42 ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) assembly in...
Israel Achieves World’s First Operational Combat Interceptions with Iron Beam Laser Prototypes
Israel has crossed a historic threshold by becoming the first nation to successfully deploy laser weapons in actual combat. During the Swords of Iron War, Israeli forces used Rafael's high-energy laser systems to intercept enemy threats, marking the transition from experimental technology to operational directed energy warfare.
Tiberius Introduce Sceptre – a Liquid Fuelled 155mm Ramjet Artillery Munition
Defense startup Tiberius Aerospace has unveiled Sceptre, a ramjet-powered 155mm artillery munition designed to achieve ranges up to 150 kilometers with sub-5-meter accuracy.
