BAE Systems Unveils Unmanned Turreted Mortar Prototype for US Army's AMPV

Defense News ,U.S :-  BAE Systems has successfully delivered an innovative Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Turreted Mortar prototype to the U.S. Army, introducing a pioneering External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP) top plate system. This cutting-edge prototype is equipped with the Patria NEMO remote-controlled 120mm turreted mortar system, showcasing the result of a rapid collaborative effort involving the U.S. Army, BAE Systems, and KONGSBERG/Patria.

The External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP) is a newly designed top plate system that facilitates the seamless installation of various turrets on the AMPV. This technological advancement allows for the rapid integration of combat capabilities, such as the Patria NEMO, onto the AMPV chassis, providing Soldiers with enhanced options at a faster pace and reduced cost.

Bill Sheehy, BAE Systems AMPV program director, emphasized the significance of handing over this remarkable capability to the Army for evaluation. The AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype, born from a capability discussion in 2022, underscores the collaborative and future-driven approach to development, aiming to provide broader multi-purpose options for Soldiers to maintain combat overmatch on the battlefield.

The prototype leverages BAE Systems' ExMEP to integrate the NEMO 120mm mortar system, offering both indirect and direct fire support capabilities for multi-mission scenarios. The system enables Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact fire missions, allowing up to 6 mortar rounds to hit targets simultaneously in less than 25 seconds, whether the vehicle is stationary or on the move.

The AMPV Mortar Carrier variant, currently in production with the Army, incorporates the legacy 120mm mortar system. The new AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype represents a significant enhancement, providing increased capabilities, force protection, and keeping Soldiers fully under the armor protection offered by the vehicle.

Over the next several months, the Army will conduct rigorous field evaluations of the AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype to assess its capabilities and suitability for battlefield requirements. This unveiling follows BAE Systems' recent showcase of another turreted AMPV prototype featuring Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) capabilities, utilizing the ExMEP top plate. The AMPV platform's purpose-built framework exemplifies endless opportunities for seamless capability integration as the future of battle continues to evolve within the Army's Armored Brigade Combat Team.