On March 7th, it was reported that the United States Army is conducting evaluations at the Yuma Proving Ground for the new 120mm mortar carrier version of the tracked Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). This new variant has been developed by BAE Systems, Kongsberg and Patria to be integrated with the new Modular Turret Mortar System (MTMS).
The ongoing tests, which began in January and are expected to conclude in July, include a capability demonstration to identify any potential issues and adjust usage procedures, particularly in terms of crew hearing protection and smoke accumulation once the mortar is in use. Upon successful completion of these tests, the initial units will be sent to Fort Moore, Alabama.
Kevin Irr, a test officer from the Weapons and Ammunition Division, stated, “We are diligently verifying its advertised capabilities and ensuring it is safe for soldiers to operate. Additionally, we are conducting various other tests to evaluate the overall operability of the weapon system. This turret system has undergone previous testing here on a different vehicle. During those tests, it piqued our interest and garnered some attention.”
The mortar system installed on the AMPV vehicles is the 120mm Patria NEMO with remote-controlled breech loading, developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg and the Finnish company Patria Oyj, enhancing the capabilities of Armored Brigade Combat Teams. It is capable of firing multiple rounds simultaneously, both in static positions and while on the move, providing greater protection to the crew due to the remote-controlled turret operation. A total of three personnel are required per system, with one commander and two crew members for operation.
Captain Mike Hapner from the Executive Office of Ground Combat Systems Program stated, “The U.S. Army is interested in the MTMS’s ability to fire on the move, conduct direct fire missions, as well as its ability to carry out multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) missions.”
Regarding the AMPVs equipped with the 120mm NEMO mortars, they are part of the U.S. Army’s plan to replace its aging M113 armored personnel carriers, with series production authorized from September 2023. The initial production contract between the US Army and BAE Systems amounted to approximately $797 million, increasing to $1.6 billion for the next production phase, with an estimated quantity of around 3,000 units to be manufactured in various variants (General Purpose, Mortar Carrier, Medical Evacuation, Medical Treatment, and Mission Command).
*Image credits: US Army; BAE Systems
You may also like: The U.S. Army is testing the new armored recovery vehicle M88A3
