Mortar Fire Control Systems Modifications

The Mortar Fire Control Systems Modification program aims to enhance the capabilities of the Army's mortar systems by upgrading their fire control components. The primary goal is to ensure these systems can accurately determine weapon position and orientation, navigate effectively, calculate ballistics, and communicate digitally through the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS). This initiative involves modifying key components such as the Fire Control Computer, Enhanced Power Distribution Assembly, Inertial Navigation Unit, Portable Universal Battery Supply, Gunner's Display, and associated cable sets.

A significant objective is to support both current and future modernized mortar fire control systems by replacing aging or obsolete components. The modifications include integrating a common, lightweight weapon pointing device and implementing simplified Ethernet or wireless-based digital communication interfaces. Updates are also planned for vehicle or system-level integration to support common core modular fire control software and subsystems. These updates aim to facilitate the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or modified commercial off-the-shelf (MCOTS) computers and components.

The program focuses on integrating Military-Code (M-Code) into the Mortar Fire Control System and Lightweight Handheld Mortar Ballistic Computer (LHMBC) M32A1 hardware. This integration involves procuring M-Code hardware for the MFCS and retrofitting fielded LHMBC GPS modules to meet military positioning, navigation, timing encryption signal, and anti-spoofing requirements. The qualification of modified fire control Line Replaceable Units to connect with M-Code GPS devices is another critical objective aimed at mitigating obsolescence while improving communication interfaces.

These modifications are designed to create smaller, lighter, cost-effective, and more maintainable fire control solutions that enhance commonality across current and future mortar weapon systems. By addressing hardware obsolescence issues and enabling software upgrades with greater flexibility, the program seeks to reduce risks in a dynamic environment while ensuring operational readiness for the Army's tactical needs.