INFRA-RED MORTAR ROUNDS
Carlton Meyer
Bofors of Sweden is a world famous manufacturer of infantry weapons and munitions. They have developed a 120mm anti-tank round with an IR sensor called Strix to guide it into a hot objects. The British have developed an 81mm anti-tank round with an IR sensor called Merlin. These anti-tank mortars rounds must work fairly well because thousands have been sold. Even if they score hits only 25% of the time, they are revolutionary weapons. Anti-tank mortar rounds would enable light forces to devastate enemy armor with indirect all-weather fire. These rounds may also detect and destroy hot artillery gun tubes, trucks, and generators used by support units.
Congressmen will rightly insist that this ammunition be manufactured in the USA. One of our defense industries should be able to develop anti-tank mortar rounds, or manufacture them under license. Since this may take a few years, until then, the U.S. Army and Marines should immediately buy a few thousand rounds for light forces.
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E-mail May 1998