The US Army is currently evaluating the ability to equip mortar carriers such as its Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) with Patria's 120mm NEMO (New Mortar) turret. The mortar system is currently being evaluated as part of a feasibility study to determine if it is compatible with selected army vehicles and fire control systems and if currently deployed mortar rounds could be used.
In 2019, Patria presented a NEMO tower for the first time in the USA, at that time integrated into an AMV 8×8 vehicle. According to Patria, the tower weighed 1.9 tons during demonstrations at Proving Ground in Arizona and Fort Benning, Georgia. 120 mm mortar shells from the Belgian company Mecar (today Nexter ammunition) were fired. The vehicle is said to have been loaded with 60 mortar shells.
New mortar systems
The introduction of new mortar systems are intended to bolster the Armored and Stryker Brigades (ABCTs and SBCTs), providing them with fast, accurate indirect and direct fire capabilities. At the same time, the crews should be protected as best as possible and the burden reduced. This step was announced by the US Army in 2018. At that time, an initial market survey was conducted to find a 120 mm mortar turret for the Future Indirect Fire Turret (FIFT) program. Future systems are planned to be equipped, including the AMPV, the Stryker and the future fleet of Next Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCV).
The purpose of the ongoing market study is to "obtain updated information on the ability of all potential companies to develop and produce a 120mm mortar turret for the FIFT program beginning in fiscal year 2021," according to the US Army.
Ability requirements include the following: 16 rounds rate of fire in the first minute, followed by a sustained rate of fire of six rounds per minute.
The FIFT should have a level of automation sufficient to reduce the physical strain on the crew while supporting a high rate of fire. The tower can be manned or unmanned.
NEMO was presented for the first time in 2006. It was also commissioned by the Slovenian Armed Forces in 2006, before development and all testing was complete. In early 2010, Nemo was also ordered by the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG), who had 36 units mounted on the GDLS 8×8 LAV vehicle. At the same time, a maritime version for boats was also developed, this was integrated in the Marine Alutech Oy Watercat M12 boat and ordered by the United Arab Emirates Navy, where it was then used on a 25 m Ghannatha boat. Patria also presented a container solution at a Eurosatory.
The tube length is around three meters, the range is specified as up to ten kilometers. According to the manufacturer, the system is ready to fire in less than 30 seconds and can fire up to ten shells per minute. NEMO is a 120mm remote-controlled mortar system capable of firing both direct and indirect fire while on the move. NEMO can also conduct MRSI fire missions (MRSI = Multiple Round Round Simultaneous Impact) with up to six rounds per MRSI mission. Nemo is not only highly protected, but also light and compact and can therefore also be integrated on light tracked chassis, armored wheeled vehicles or naval vessels.
Cooperation with Kongsberg
Patria and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace today announced the merger for the future US mortar program. It is about the combination of Patria's 120 mm mortar turret with Kongsberg's Remote Weapon Stations (RWS).
With respect to the US program, Patria and Kongsberg have agreed to use Kongsberg's existing RWS manufacturing facilities in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to produce NEMO for the US market. Kongsberg's Johnstown facility, along with its broad US supplier base, has supplied over 14,000 weapon systems to the US Armed Forces over the past 20 years. Kongsberg produces MCT-30 turrets for the Stryker program and was selected in May 2020 to also supply the US Marine Corps' new amphibious combat vehicle program.
Back in 2016, Kongsberg from Norway bought a 49.9% minority stake in Patria from Finland. The Finnish government holds the remaining 51.1%. Since then, both companies have been closely connected.
André Forkert
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