Kongsberg and Patria team up to provide turreted mortar solutions.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Patria Oyj have formed a teaming agreement to provide turreted mortar solutions for future U.S. Army mortar programs. As a centerpiece of the agreement, the companies will promote and produce the 120mm Patria Nemo, turreted, remote-controlled mortar system in the U.S.

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Patria Nemo 120mm mortar on 8x8 armored vehicle (Picture source: Patria)

The teaming will provide an unrivaled combination of Kongsberg's U.S. engineering and production capability, and Patria's long experience and innovation as a provider of world-leading mortar systems. In May 2020, Patria entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for the Nemo mortar system with the U.S. Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Armaments Center.

Last May, U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center and Patria signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to determine the feasibility of incorporating a turreted, breech-loaded Nemo 120mm mortar weapon system in U.S. mortar carriers. The scope of the agreement is to assess the capabilities of the Patria Nemo mortar system, its compatibility with U.S. mortar carrier weapon platforms and fire control systems as well as to evaluate the use of the current U.S. 120 mm mortar ammunition in a breech-loaded mortar, such as Patria Nemo.

This agreement is a continuation of the U.S. Army’s effort to provide Armored and Stryker Brigade Combat Teams with rapid, precise indirect and direct fire capability where the operating crew is well protected, and their physical burden is significantly reduced. In late 2018 the Army published a market survey to identify capable sources to develop and produce the 120 mm Mortar Future Indirect Fire Turret (FIFT). Patria answered the market survey based on the Patria Nemo mortar system.

"Kongsberg and Patria have a long history of working together and a relationship that was strengthened in 2016 with Kongsberg's minority stake in Patria", says Pål Bratlie Executive Vice President Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS. "This teaming agreement for the Nemo mortar system is a fantastic means for our companies to join forces to provide solutions to the warfighter for the turreted mortar mission".

"Kongsberg's track record of high-end weapon system production is highly regarded, along with their established manufacturing facilities and U.S. wide supply chain made teaming with Kongsberg a logical choice for Patria. Together, we provide the most advanced, protected and mobile 120mm mortar system produced alongside Remote Weapon Stations and Medium Caliber Turrets in the Johnstown, PA, facility", says Jussi Järvinen, President of Patria's Land Business Unit.

Patria has more than 80 years of experience in designing and delivering mortar systems. Nemo fires multiple rounds in simultaneous impact (MRSI) fire missions with up to 6 rounds impacting simultaneously on target. The turret, along with an armored chassis, protects the crew against ballistic, mine and IED threats and battlefield contaminants within the protection level of the platform. The low weight and compact turret is easily installable on a tracked chassis, vessel or wheeled armored vehicles in the 6x6/8x8 class.