04-10-2014, 07:58 PM
Michael,
Not boring at all -- instead very informative!
My introduction to PGM's was in 1970 when I was handed a pair of fighters with 2000 lb Paveway bombs. The first bomb went through the tank turret, indicating both precision and accuracy, and with spectacular effects. The effects from a 2,000 lb bomb aren't particularly precise. That's part of the reason the USAF now has a 250lb-class JDAM. A lot more hits per sortie and much less collateral effects.
What you have done is to nicely point out that one needs to ensure the capability upgrade is done the right way.
The first step might be simply to include guidance within the current structure -- that will result in significant improvement in effectiveness, and the added precision may make the mortar easier to employ in this world of ever-tightening ROE.
Weight of the system is another reason a 60 mm mortar might not be the direct solution.
Nonetheless, the notion of a precision guided grenade reaching out to at least 1500 meters is both intriguing and doable. The 40mm grenade is problematic because the shoulder-launched version doesn't have the reach, and the automatic grenade launcher version has too much recoil except in a tripod mount. Nonetheless, this might be a good starting point in working out a system to fulfill the vision.
Not boring at all -- instead very informative!
My introduction to PGM's was in 1970 when I was handed a pair of fighters with 2000 lb Paveway bombs. The first bomb went through the tank turret, indicating both precision and accuracy, and with spectacular effects. The effects from a 2,000 lb bomb aren't particularly precise. That's part of the reason the USAF now has a 250lb-class JDAM. A lot more hits per sortie and much less collateral effects.
What you have done is to nicely point out that one needs to ensure the capability upgrade is done the right way.
The first step might be simply to include guidance within the current structure -- that will result in significant improvement in effectiveness, and the added precision may make the mortar easier to employ in this world of ever-tightening ROE.
Weight of the system is another reason a 60 mm mortar might not be the direct solution.
Nonetheless, the notion of a precision guided grenade reaching out to at least 1500 meters is both intriguing and doable. The 40mm grenade is problematic because the shoulder-launched version doesn't have the reach, and the automatic grenade launcher version has too much recoil except in a tripod mount. Nonetheless, this might be a good starting point in working out a system to fulfill the vision.