Focus Day

Equipment & Technology Focus Day: 24 March 2010

Technologies in the areas of Surveillance and Target Acquisition, smart and precision ammunition are changing the face of artillery. Meanwhile, improvements to delivery platforms have also made a broadened the range of effects the ground commander can call upon. Reflecting the range of technology streams, we have devoted a day of discussions to provide an overview of the latest projects that will make an impact on the future battlefield.

09.00 Coffee And Registration

09.30 Precision Urban Mortar Attack (PUMA) Programme

  • Overview: A system of systems capability to engage targets in complex terrain environments
  • Use of existing and future company level assets:
    • Tier II UAS
    • 81mm mortar
    • LHMBC
    • Rangefinder / Marker / Designator
  • Use of novel technology to overcome operational barriers:
    • Micro-Pulse Laser Designator (MPLD): Covert, eyesafe( r), designation technology for urban use
    • Flight Controlled Mortar: Trajectory shaping for projectile insertion in complex terrain

Luke Steelman
Programme Manager, Precision Urban Mortar Attack (PUMA), IPT Lead, Flight Controlled Mortar
US Naval Surface Warfare Centre

11.00 Coffee And Discussion Break

11.30 Key USMC Indirect Fire Projects

  • G/ATOR mobile radar system: The USMC’s single material solution for the Multi-Mode Radar System and Ground Weapons Locator Radar requirements
  • Incremental development and fielding update
  • Other major technology focuses and projects

Colonel Anthony Johnson
Commanding Officer Marine Corps Artillery Detachment Fort Sill
US Marine Corps

12.30 Networking Lunch

13.30 Artillery And Mortar Fuzing Today And Tomorrow

  • Trace the dynamics and changes to the US fuze industrial base
  • Present the US Army’s precision fire fuzes
  • Discussion of the US artillery and mortar fuzes for legacy munitions
  • Outline the key research areas for future fuze development

William Kurtz
Marketing Manager
L-3 Fuzing and Ordnance Systems

14.30 Equipment Recommendations And Lessons Learned From Canadian Artillery Operations

  • Overview of the key tactical lessons
  • Overview of the feedback on current equipment
  • Other technical considerations
  • How will the lessons from this report be applied to future work

Colonel David Marshall
Director of Artillery
Canadian Forces

15.30 Discussion Session: Examining Key Equipment Capability Gaps And Future Technologies

  • Target Acquisition and Surveillance equipment
  • Next generation ammunition technology
  • Some considerations for future R&D efforts

16.30 End Of Emerging Technologies Focus Day