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Thales Showcases the Scorpion at AAD 2014: a new mobile automated mortar weapons platform.
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AAD
2014 Official Media Partner International exhibition of weapons systems and military equipment 17 - 21 Sept 2014 Tshwane, South Africa |
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Thales Scorpion at AAD 2014 |
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| Wednesday, September 17, 2014 09:50 PM | |||
| Thales Showcases the Scorpion at AAD 2014: a new mobile automated mortar weapons platform. | |||
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At AAD 2014, Thales South Africa showcases its automated mortar weapons
platform Scorpion mounted on a light tactical vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser
4x4 pickup chassis. The system is fully designed and developped by Thales
South Africa for the African Market. |
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 Thales Scorpion automated mortar weapons platform at AAD 2014 |
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Scorpion
is an Automated Mortar and Fire Control System (AMFCS) designed to accommodate
the requirements of mobile and Special Forces. The AMFCS is a vehicle-mounted
mortar system. It is capable of autonomous engagement of targets (from
the back of the vehicle) due to its sensors and mechanical installation. The sensors are effectively in two areas, those that sense the position and orientation of the vehicle and those used to locate and fixate targets. Position sensing is by inertial means, supplemented with Global Positioning System (GPS) and distance information. Observation sensing is on a mounted pedestal, gives accurate angle measurements and is topped by an optical sensor with laser range finding. |
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 At AAD 2012, the Thales Scorpion automated mortar weapons platform is mounted on the chassis of a light tactical vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 pickup chassis. |
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By combining precision
positioning with good target data, the fire solution and mortar laying
data can easily be computed. The computed values are then used to control
the motorised platform to lay the mortar tube accurately. This can be
done without relying on external (traditional) survey methods. The system
can effectively shoot-and-shift during an engagement, attack again from
a different position without the need to survey the new position. The
fire solution and mortar laying data updates automatically in the background.
This allows the crew to monitor proper target acquisition and observation
of landings with adjustments. The AMFCS caters for 60mm (Standard and
long range versions) and 81mm mortar tubes, 82mm mortar tubes and associated
ballistic calculations. The payload sensor consists of a Binocular / Thermal Imaging System integrated with a laser Range Finder (LRF), GPS and Digital Magnetic Compass (DMC). The payload can also be utilised as a dismounted standalone sensor for indirect fire modes. Target information can be shared via data radio between observer and launcher vehicles or received from other sources via the data radio. The system is thus capable of operating in both the direct and indirect fire modes. |