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GPS Guided Mortar Debuts In Afghanistan
Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 13 Apr 2011
A new mortar that is fitted with GPS has recently been deployed to Afghanistan.
Known as the APMI, or Accelerated Precision Mortar Initiative (the military loves acronyms), the new 120mm mortar cartridge is a standard M934 high explosive mortar with a GPS added to its tip.
The GPS and an accompanying computer control the tail fins and can steer the mortar to ensure it follows its pre-programmed trajectory. With GPS the accuracy is improved such that it can fall within a 10m radius.
The improvements in accuracy result in less rounds expended and a reduction in non-combatant injuries.
| Comments
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 Posted by DennisN on Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:56 pm |
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| Darren Wrote: | | a reduction in non-combatant injuries. |
They could have achieved a total reduction by substituting normal mortars with spears and swords! How dreadful that I guess these new things will be hailed as an advance. 
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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| Posted by Oldboy on Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:10 pm |
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| Darren Wrote: | | With GPS the accuracy is improved such that it can fall within a 10m radius. |
As long as it can Navigate to a POI. 
Richard
TT 910 V7.903: Europe Map v1045
TT Via 135 App 12.075: Europe Map v1140 |
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| Posted by Andy_P on Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:44 pm |
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.. if they use "via town centre", they would hit the ring-road.
"Settling in nicely" ;-) |
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| Posted by MaFt on Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:00 am |
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| DennisN Wrote: | | Darren Wrote: | | a reduction in non-combatant injuries. |
They could have achieved a total reduction by substituting normal mortars with spears and swords! How dreadful that I guess these new things will be hailed as an advance. |
But surely hand-to-hand combat would result in more injuries than long-distance?
Personally I think this is a good thing. Whether any particular war is right or wrong, the less civilian deaths / injuries the better.
MaFt
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| Posted by DennisN on Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:05 am |
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To non-combatants? Back in the good old days of spears and swords, the locals would all turn out to watch a lovely battle between soldiers, without fear of becoming "collateral damage".
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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| Posted by sussamb on Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:31 am |
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Yep, and there was also no GPS, DVD players, PCs, phones, cars, air travel etc etc ... time moves on, you have to play the hand you're dealt, you can't change the past, only the future ...  
Where there's a will ... there's a way. |
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| Posted by Skippy on Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:49 am |
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| Darren Wrote: | | GPS Guided Mortar Debuts In Afghanistan |
Next week's headline: GPS JAMMERS Debut In Afghanistan....
Gone fishing! |
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| Posted by DennisN on Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:23 am |
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And a week after that, a video of an abducted GPS Mortar bomb, blindfolded with baco foil and wearing an orange boiler suit, being held to ransom.
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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| Posted by Chris32 on Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:32 am |
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I can't for the life of me see how it works.
If it is a standard mortar shell then how can it control its trajectory once it is out of the launching tube?
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| Posted by sussamb on Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:38 am |
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I think the clue's in the way it works .... it's clearly not a 'standard' mortar shell
Where there's a will ... there's a way. |
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