The US Army’s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), Third Infantry Division has fielded the Accelerated Precision Mortar Initiative (APMI) cartridge at Fort Stewart, Georgia, US.
Part of the M326 Mortar Stowage Kit, the APMI is a GPS-guided round fired from the M120 mortar system that will help US Army soldiers to fire indirect mortar rounds accurately at the enemy.
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The 120mm GPS-guided mortar cartridge also provide commanders with an indirect firing capability to destroy enemy troops, material, bunkers and other infantry-type targets.
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4IBCT, 3rd ID mortar platoon sergeant 1st Class Jay Martin said, "It allows commanders to fire 120mm mortar rounds into congested areas with less collateral damage."
"It’s pretty accurate, with the capability of landing one-to-six meters away from the grid the soldiers established."
Prior to fielding the mortar system, the rounds were tested by 60 indirect fire infantrymen with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, and 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4IBCT.
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By GlobalDataDuring the testing, staff sergeant Justin Meiers said that troops hit the target with one round, making direct fire when entering highly populated areas unnecessary and thereby making situations safer for fellow infantry soldiers.
The infantrymen were also provided with a three-week course to learn how to handle the precision round.
The US army had integrated the new mortar on its mobile Stryker Double-V Hull Mortar Carrier Vehicle (MCVV) in July 2012 to increase operational use of 120mm mortar rounds in Afghanistan.
