At the DSEI 2023 defense trade fair, Elbit Systems publicly presented the 120mm Crossbow mortar turret for the first time. Crossbow was developed by Elbit on behalf of the Israeli Ministry of Defense based on the Cardom mortar and integrated into a UT-120m turret.
In addition to the mortar turret, the Crossbow system consists of the carrier vehicle (e.g. 6x6 and 8x8 wheeled vehicles as well as tracked vehicles), a computerized fire control system and an optional land navigation system. According to Elbit, the automatic loader enables the first shot to be fired in less than 30 seconds. The normal rate is six shots per minute, which can temporarily be increased to ten shots per minute. The high cadence is achieved because the fully automatic loader can insert the cartridge into the mortar tube in any position. Waiting times due to the insertion of a loading position of the pipe are therefore eliminated.
The high cadence enables targets to be engaged using the MRSI (Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact) method, in which several shots with different barrel heights are fired in quick succession and hit the target at the same time. The weapon system is fully stabilized. According to the manufacturer, this allows Crossbow to shoot while driving. “Shoot and Scout” becomes a slower mode of use with this ability.
The mortar is designed to use a variety of ammunition types - Guided Mortar Munition (GMM), High Explosive (HE), Illumination (ILL), Illumation IR (ILL IR), Smoke (SMK). This also includes the Iron Sting guided mortar ammunition with an effective range of up to ten kilometers.
The tower can be continuously swiveled through 360 degrees. The maximum pipe elevation reaches 87 degrees. The system is also suitable for direct fire.
Elbit demonstrated Crossbow integrated into a film montage on a boxer. When asked, the company confirmed that no Boxer was available for integration. The aim of the film was simply to demonstrate the performance of the mortar system (e.g. shooting while driving, direct fire) on a wheeled vehicle that is also common in Great Britain.
The development contract is expected to result in the delivery of a demonstrator to the Israeli Defense Forces in the spring of next year. The first ready-to-use systems should be available from spring 2025. Elbit also plans to offer the system to the British Army, which may wish to realize indirect fire support capability using the Boxer as a carrier vehicle as part of the build-up of wheeled-based forces.
Editors / gwh
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