The Israel Defense Forces have developed a laser-guided mortar artillery round that has completed testing and appears ready for field deployment, the IDF said.
The “Iron Sting” 120mm mortar has recently completed final trials in southern Israel, clearing the way for it to be placed in serial production by Elbit Systems Ltd.
“This laser and GPS-guided mortar munition provides troops with a precise firing capability that has only been implemented in missiles and air munition thus far,” said Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem, the head of research and development for the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense. “This is a very complex program and a groundbreaking system on the international level.”
The “Iron Sting” adds to the Jewish state’s “Iron Dome” missile defense shield that has been able to intercept inbound missiles and artillery.
“The Ground Forces command is leading the process of integrating the ‘Iron Sting’ into the IDF,” said Col. Arik Avivi, head of the IDF’s Ground Forces’ Weapons Department. “This precise guided mortar munition is groundbreaking for IDF battalions, equipping them with accurate and organic firepower.
“This capability has so far been reserved for large and complex missiles. Thanks to this impressive technological development, it will now be implemented in mortar munitions on a wide scale.”
Mortars are often a relatively lightweight, portable artillery weapon that equips forward deployed forces with short-range, high-arc explosives to hit targets with “indirect” fire – targets often hidden behind obstacles like hills and buildings.
Aimed by mechanical sights, accuracy has often been suspect.
"The introduction of this laser and GPS guided munition transforms the mortar system from statistical firepower into a precision fire system, thus delivering a significant change in fire capabilities at the tactical level,” Elbit Systems Land Division General Manager Yehuda (Udi) Vered said
“We believe that we have been able to develop an efficient solution that enables us to increase precision and reduce collateral damage.”
Breakingdefense.com, quoting unidentified sources, said the system will be demonstrated for the U.S. Army by the end of the year.
“The new shell will be capable of hitting targets that so far were not assigned to mortars,” according to Col. Assaf Shatzkin, head of land systems for the Israeli Directorate for Defense Research & Development.
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