Drone-guided mortar fire has significantly enhanced the accuracy of mortar systems in modern warfare, leveraging advanced technology to provide real-time targeting data and improve first-shot precision. Below is an in-depth look at how drones contribute to mortar fire accuracy and the systems involved.
Drones, particularly modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), play a critical role in improving mortar accuracy by providing precise battlefield observation and targeting information. Unlike traditional methods that rely on forward observers estimating target locations, drones can hover directly above enemy positions, eliminating errors caused by parallax or distance estimation. This capability allows for near-instantaneous data transmission to mortar crews or fire direction centers, enabling rapid and accurate adjustments to firing solutions2. In conflicts like the one in Ukraine, drones have been instrumental in making artillery, including mortars, lethally accurate by offering a clear, real-time view of the target area2.
The integration of drones with guided mortar munitions further enhances precision. Modern guided mortar systems use technologies such as GPS, inertial navigation systems (INS), and semi-active laser (SAL) guidance to achieve remarkable accuracy, often with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, and in some cases, under 1 meter1456. Here are some key systems and their capabilities:
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: This precision-guided mortar round achieves a CEP of less than 5 meters at ranges between 980 and 4,000 meters. Using a portable GPS setter, target coordinates are programmed into the round, and onboard GPS continuously updates its position during flight, allowing the autopilot to adjust the trajectory via canards for pinpoint accuracy1.
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: A 120mm guided round developed by Alliant Techsystems, the XM395 has demonstrated accuracy as close as 2.2 meters from the target in Afghanistan. Paired with mobile platforms like the M1129 Stryker, it enhances battlefield flexibility and precision4.
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: This system offers ranges from 1 to 12 km and features multiple guidance modes (GPS/IMU, SAL+GPS/IMU, SAL+IMU), ensuring versatility and high accuracy in various scenarios, including urban and adverse weather conditions. Its seeker laser sensor and multi-mode fuze add to its precision capabilities17.
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: The U.S. Army is developing the HEGM with a goal of achieving a CEP of less than 1 meter. Incorporating dual GPS/SAL guidance, this system aims to hit moving targets and function in GPS-degraded environments, further improving accuracy with laser designation45.
The accuracy of the first shot in mortar fire, even in unfamiliar territory, depends heavily on the technology and data provided. With drone assistance and advanced fire control systems like the U.S. Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS) or Light Handheld Mortar Ballistic Computer (LHMBC), first-round hits are increasingly possible if accurate target data is provided by forward observers or drones3. Precision-guided munitions (PGMs), such as the XM395 or RCGM, can achieve near-first-shot accuracy within 1-5 meters when programmed with precise coordinates, often obtained via drones134. However, without such technology, traditional mortar systems may require multiple rounds to adjust for environmental factors like wind, pressure, and elevation differences, making first-shot hits less likely unless the crew is exceptionally skilled and conditions are favorable3.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Environmental factors such as wind speed, pressure, and temperature at various altitudes can affect unguided or less advanced guided rounds3. Additionally, while drones provide superior targeting data, their effectiveness can be limited by electronic warfare, GPS jamming, or adverse weather conditions that obscure visibility or disrupt communications5. For systems relying solely on GPS guidance, accuracy may degrade in contested environments, though hybrid systems with SAL guidance mitigate this by allowing course corrections via laser designation56.
Conclusion
Drone-guided mortar fire represents a transformative leap in accuracy, enabling first-shot precision in many scenarios through real-time targeting data and advanced guided munitions. Systems like the RCGM, XM395, and Iron Sting demonstrate CEPs as low as 1-5 meters, making mortars a highly effective tool on the modern battlefield147. While challenges like environmental variables and electronic interference persist, the combination of drones and precision-guided technology continues to redefine mortar capabilities, offering tactical units enhanced lethality with reduced collateral damage and ammunition expenditure16.
Citations:
- https://euro-sd.com/2020/02/articles/16246/mortars-accuracy-through-munitions-fire-control-and-aiming/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2022/05/12/drones-give-ukrainian-artillery-lethal-accuracy/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/WarCollege/comments/dhinj7/mortar_accuracy/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM395_precision_guided_mortar_munition
- https://www.army.mil/article/183491/army_developing_laser_guided_precision_mortar
- https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/191514/SAS-Research-Note-51.pdf
- https://elbitsystems.com/media/Guided-Mortar-Ammunition-Catalog-Web.pdf
- https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/11/drone-economics-tiny-tactical-drones-get-dirt-cheap-gps-guided-bombs/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ms14wswQc
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