Denmark orders 15 mortar systems for its Piranha 5s

Remigiusz Wilk, Warsaw - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

26 May 2017

Denmark's Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) signed a USD15.3 million contract with Austrian company ESL Advanced Information Technology (ESLAIT) on 18 May for the delivery of 15 automatic floor-mounted 120 mm heavy mortar systems (with an option for an additional six systems at the contract price). The contract, which was announced on 22 May, includes a 30-year sustainment agreement.

The Royal Danish Army selected the ESLAIT A3MS (Advanced Automated Autonomous Mortar System) for installation on its Piranha 5 8x8 armour personal carriers manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag (GDELS-Mowag); 309 vehicles in six variants - including mortar carriers - were ordered in December 2015 for DKK4.5 billion (USD650 million).

Original post: janes.com

Background

The first seven pre-series vehicles, which are built in the Infantry Vehicle configuration, will now undergo a comprehensive test program, starting in the second half of 2017. The test program includes climate acceptance tests (hot and cold conditions), a verification acceptance test and will be concluded with the user acceptance test by the end of 2017. Upon successful completion of the test program, deliveries will start early in 2018.

The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistic Organization (DALO) signed the contract for the delivery of 309 PIRANHA Armored Personal Carriers in six variants (Infantry, Command, Ambulance, Engineer, Mortar and Repair), as well as a multi-year sustainment contract for the through life support of the vehicles in the future. Source gdels.com

ESLAIT A3MS (Advanced Automated Autonomous Mortar System)

The ingenious recoil absorber allows the installation onto multi-purpose-vehicles (4x4, Trucks, 6x6, armoured personnel carriers APSc).  Due to the application of most advanced electronics the A3MS is superior to conventionally operated and ground based grenade launchers in terms of velocity, mobility, accuracy and fire-power.

Weight:	less than 1000 kg
Traverse angle:	6400 mils
Elevation range:	800-1500 mils
Fire range:	up to 6000 m (60 mm) up to 7000 m (81 mm) up to 8000 m (120 mm)
Rate of fire:	16 rounds/minute

MCCS - Mortar Command Control System

MCCS is a modern fire control system which was developed especially for mobile grenade launchers.

Due to the application of very advanced communications the interoperability of mobile grenade launchers and monitoring systems is guaranteed.

The outcome is an extraordinary mobility, a quick overview and a fast mission readiness.

MCCS was developed with the assistance of military experts and it is operated successfully in many countries.

MCCS Features
Precise  target capture Fast data transmission between observer and grenade launcher vehicle Fast firing readiness, high hit rate User-friendly interface Graphical display Online change of Language Accurate ballistics calculation Navigation function

Source eslait.at