DSEI 2025: New GDAMS Mortar on Ford Ranger Super Duty Transforms Land Fire Support.

At the DSEI 2025 exhibition, General Dynamics presented a militarized version of the Ford Ranger Super Duty, transformed into a tactical platform for support, command, and combat missions. This adaptation reflects the trend of converting commercial utility vehicles into military solutions capable of addressing a wide range of contemporary threats. The displayed version features a payload capacity of 2,000 kilograms, a reconfigured interior for operational use, and, most notably, the integration of a mortar system developed in cooperation between Babcock and ST Engineering. The choice of this widely available civilian vehicle provides an option with a low unit cost, sustainable support, and durability throughout its life cycle.
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The GDAMS system can deliver up to fifteen rounds per minute during short fire missions, or four rounds per minute on a sustained basis(Picture source: Army Recognition)

The installed system, designated as the Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS), is developed by ST Engineering Land Systems and distributed in Europe through Babcock. It is characterized by its lightweight design and rapid deployment capability, being operational or stowed in only fifteen seconds. Designed to adapt to changing operational environments, it enables forces to maintain high mobility while retaining indirect fire support. One of its defining features is its recoilless design, with firing forces directed into the ground, allowing installation on light vehicles, whether commercial or military, without the need for heavy armored platforms.

GDAMS is compatible with 81 mm and 120 mm ammunition, including precision-guided rounds. This ensures continuity with existing stocks while expanding targeting options. According to data provided by ST Engineering, the system can deliver up to fifteen rounds per minute during short fire missions, or four rounds per minute on a sustained basis. With a declared range of up to 9 km depending on the ammunition used, it provides support across a wide spectrum of operational scenarios. Its operation requires only two crew members, representing a reduction in manpower while maintaining considerable firepower.

Another key feature is the fully digitalized fire control system. GDAMS can be automatically laid using target coordinates transmitted by a command post, reducing the time between target designation and firing. In addition, the system incorporates a patented blast diffuser that reduces crew noise exposure threefold while also lowering the auditory signature detectable on the battlefield. This increases crew survivability and enhances their ability to remain discreet against technologically advanced adversaries.

The militarized Ford Ranger Super Duty demonstrates the pursuit of a flexible platform capable of fulfilling multiple roles, ranging from logistics transport to indirect fire support. Its modularity allows the integration of GDAMS as well as other systems, depending on mission requirements. Using a civilian chassis that is widely available offers an additional benefit: armed forces gain simplified access to spare parts and easier maintenance compared to vehicles designed exclusively for military use. In an environment where sustainability and life-cycle costs are closely examined, this approach provides concrete answers.

The integration of GDAMS on a mobile platform such as the Ford Ranger Super Duty reflects a broader shift in doctrine observed in current conflicts. The war in Ukraine has shown that armies now favor providing mortar capabilities not to heavy and slow infantry formations, but to mobile units equipped with vehicles that can be deployed rapidly. This approach allows mortar teams to move quickly, set up, fire, and reposition in record time, reducing the risk of detection and minimizing exposure to counter-battery fire. Mobility, concealability, and speed of action are increasingly viewed as decisive advantages, making vehicle-mounted mortar systems a response adapted to the realities of modern warfare.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces, with a strong focus on multilateral cooperation and geopolitics.