Specials don't operate with organic arty as it's not their core business.  SASR primary role is ISR then DA and that's not the "preferred" way to conduct their business.  The Commando's are the brute force and/or support element if the Specials need an assist.

 

Either way, both forces at a minimum have access to a JTAC and they're the ones who can call in the arty (land or flying).

 

email me on bounce . rubbish at gmail . com and I'll explain a bit more (I'll flick you my work addy)

 

4 RAR are Commando are they not, responsible for Direct Action ? and JTAC are in short supply, even in US forces, so organic 120mm mounted on whatever vehicles they using, and 60 mm for Squads ... can only be a good thing.. surely...?

 

Thanks, signed sealed and delivered.

 

Look forward to your reply.

Hope the link works now - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9CVEaZFd6I

 

 

The Commandos and (presumably) SASR have an integral 81mm mortar capability, so I'd expect whatever mortar capability is chosen to eventually replace Army's extent mortar capability, will migrate to SOCOMD.

 

Whether that will be 120mm or not remains to be seen. 

I like the idea in the article that I posted previously which disicusses having multiple different tube types, 60mm, 81mm or120mm, for deployment based on the commander's requirement. Mortars are cheap so it is probably doable even in the current budgetary environment.

As far as I'm aware there is a much wider variety of 120mm mortar PGM  available or in development than 81mm ?

 

60mm seems make sense, as its lighter than 81mm, hence better suited to fast moving SOF? perhaps C576 Lightweight Mortar ?

 

 

 

 

On threads past, I've put up quite a few rants on the subjects of light mortars (60 & 81mm, breech-loading turret-mounted systems or portable) and PGMs.
Have to look for the pdfs I've got somewhere on where the developments currently are.

(60mm ODAM laser-homing seeker, next gen RF/mm wave seekers for 81mm, etc.)

 

I won't bore people further with the same drivel if no one's really interested, though...

(but judging by the capabilities of the most recent sighting systems and handheld/laptop-sized fire control and plotting devices from the freelibrary link that Aussiegunneragain posted up on his Interesting Article on Mortars thread,

mortar accuracies can be considerably improved it seems even with unguided rounds.

The biggest benefit that PGMs will actually then offer will be first round hit capability every time,

and less susceptibility to wind and other atmospheric conditions and incorrect aiming of the barrel.

Still, the notion of getting the ability to put a precision mortar round thru a vehicle's hatch,

or a building's window or doorway,

instead of just landing it several meters in the general vicinity of said target,

certainly brings a new edge to the fight.

You could be right, however it certainly isn't a capability priority for Army and there's a good reason why. 

 

 

Several years ago, Army looked at buying a South African made 81mm mortar system to replace it's extant F2 81mm mortar system, due to the perceived obsolescence of the F-2 system. 

 

It also bought new 81mm ammunition natures made in South Africa to improve interim capability, much in the same way MARAP was designed to provide an interim enhancement to Army's M198 155mm artillery capability until LAND 17 came online.

 

Army found however that the ammunition natures alone improved the existing mortar performance (in terms of range and lethality) almost to the same level as that promised by the "long ranged" mortar system and hence Army's priorities "changed"...

 

You can see the new ammunition in the DoD image galleries. Check out some of the Afghanistan mortar images and you'll see 81mm bombs with the twin yellow bands around them. 

  

They are the "new" bombs. From all reports, Army is VERY satisfied with it's current mortar capability and hence why I think it will be a while before even 120mm mortar systems will be introduced into Army service.

 

Personally I think LAND 40 Phase 2, LAND 17 (and MARAP), AIR 87 and the planned small arms upgrades (include improved "under barrel" grenade launchers and shotguns) are more important for Army's overall fire support capability than an improved mortar capability and I'd like to see DMO get their collective "finger's out" and get these systems into service before they worry about getting new mortar capabilities...