US and Europe continue moves to boost 155mm munitions production
The new US facility for 155mm artillery projectiles is a reflection of a worldwide trend which has also seen Rheinmetall and BAE Systems working to improve capability in the same area.
Rheinmetall introduces RSG60 dual-configuration mortar
Rheinmetall has developed a new 60mm mortar for infantry and special forces, the RSG60, which can be configured into either a standard infantry or commando mortar variant.
It features design and engineering characteristics that make the indirect fire system lightweight and easy to handle, and a few manual adjustments turn the 15.8kg standard infantry version into a commando mortar weighing 6.8kg, with no need for tools.
Development of the new mortar began in October 2017 at Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, and the objective was to augment the company’s family of 60mm ammunition and existing Rheinmetall Electronics fire control technology with a matching weapon system.
The work has focused on low weight, speed and ergonomics, and the RSG60 has undergone a number of test firings.
Depending on the ammunition and charges, the standard version can attain ranges of up to 3.2km, and equipped with a barrel that is 30cm longer, the range increases by some 500m.
The commando variant of the RSG60, meanwhile, has a range of around 2km, and has a barrel of some 70cm in length made of steel with a carbon fibre over-wrap.
This maintains stability while also reducing weight, resulting in a barrel that weighs some 30% less than a conventional steel mortar.
The base plate is made of carbon fibre composite material, and it can be set up and ready to operate in a number of seconds, the company says.
Additionally, by loosening the retaining bolts, the RSG60 can be separated from the base plate in around thirty seconds, converting it into a lighter-weight commando mortar.
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