BAE Systems & General Dynamics Develop 81mm Guided Mortar Bombs

M252 81mm Mortar

BAE Systems and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems have teamed to develop, demonstrate, and produce the 81mm Roll Controlled Guided Mortar (RCGM), an affordable 81mm precision mortar round. The companies have been maturing the guided mortar technology over the last 12 months and will be conducting tactical demonstrations early in 2012. In October 2011 GD-OTS and ATK announced a teaming offering a similar, 120mm guided mortar bomb for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS).

The teaming arrangement between with BAE Systems will also reach beyond the US services, targeting the UK and other foreign military. The 81mm RCGM uses the current UK L41 round and US M734A1 fuze, but incorporates GPS guidance and General Dynamics’ patented Roll Controlled Fixed Canard (RCFC) technology to provide a precision strike capability.“By using existing warheads and fuzing with our low-cost control and guidance system, we can offer a truly affordable precision mortar round to the US, UK and allies across the world.” Michael Wilson, President of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems said.

The new mortar launched guided munition will provide the infantry for the first time, a low-cost indirect precision attack system into the hands of the front-line soldier, dramatically increasing his combat effectiveness. According to Ian Anderton, managing director of BAE Systems’ Munitions business, “The system’s increased accuracy will help bring effective fire on target quicker and the reduced number of rounds required for a typical mission will mean an approximate 30 percent reduction in logistics demands.”

Defense Update