A joint development by the US- Picatinny Arsenal and Thomson Daimler-Benz Aerospace (TDA) has created the Dragon Fire, an autonomous mortar system. The current prototype consists of a modified TDA 2R2M rifled 120mm mortar, with a maximum range unassisted/rocket-assisted of nine and 14kms respectively. It can be operated remotely by radio and can calculate (GPS) within three to five seconds its own location and elevation and bearing to the target. An on-board magazine holds 33 rounds ready to fire, and the package can be towed by a HMMWV tactical vehicle or fit inside a V-22 Osprey. A derivative, dubbed Mobile Dragon Fire, has been mounted on a USMC light armoured vehicle (LAV), and the addition of a gyro stabiliser should result in accurate fire on the move out to maximum ranges.
A second prototype, the Armoured Mortar vehicle, with a semi-automatic 120mm recoiling rifled mounted mortar, 2R2M, with an optional smooth bore version, was designed and developed by FNSS in cooperation with the Deutsche Aerospace.
