The U.S. Army has awarded a $12.9 million contract to Global Military Products for the purchase and integration of Scorpion Light mobile mortar systems. It is called the "fastest mobile mortar system in the World."
According to the company, the new agreement involves integrating of Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar systems with U.S. Army digital fire control technologies and government-furnished M253 mortar barrels onto the Army’s new Infantry Squad Vehicle–Utility (ISV-U) platforms. The project is being implemented within the framework of a special legal mechanism to accelerate development and reduce the associated bureaucracy.
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In the latest version of the mortar system by Global Military Products, digital fire control capabilities are integrated into the Nett Warrior (NW) communication system. The manufacturer claims that this allows for very fast instant target acquisition and almost instant re-targeting with minimal crew intervention.
The self-propelled mortar is to provide indirect fire support during expeditionary operations of the U.S. military. This requires high mobility, autonomy and accuracy. It is noted that Global Military Products has been working closely with the U.S. Army for the past two years to refine the Scorpion light mobile mortar system and make changes to it in accordance with military feedback.
From Defense Express we note that in this way, following the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army has decided to join the Scorpion light mobile mortar system operators, as previously it had just tested these systems. At the same time, we are talking about its own version, which will meet individual army requirements.
For example, the Marine Corps has ordered such mortar systems based on the MRZR Alpha buggy, while for the army the mortars will be supplied mounted on the ISV-U buggy, to which the U.S. Army units are actively switching. This will ensure the unification of vehicles in brigades.
Global Military Products calls the Scorpion Light "the fastest mobile mortar system in the World". At the same time, the use of fast and relatively small buggies allows military to take full advantage of mobility for work on the principle of "Shoot and scoot".
As already mentioned, these mortars are intended for expeditionary forces that really need mobility. At the same time, the use of a fairly small platform can help reduce visibility. Of course, the vehicles have no armor, but this is relevant for the entire ISV line, which is now replacing the Stryker APC in the arsenal of the U.S. Army.
Defense Express wrote earlier, that While the Pentagon Seeked an Unarmored Hybrid ISV-Heavy, U.S. Experts Said It Should Learn from Ukraine.
Read more: How Trials in Ukraine Helped Improve the Lightweight 105 mm Hawkeye MHS
