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08 Dec 16. EIMOS mortar system trialled in new vehicle configuration. Spain’s Expal has demonstrated its EIMOS mortar system integrated on a four-seat URO VAMTAC ST5 light utility vehicle. During the live-fire exercise EIMOS operated alongside Expal’s wider battle management and surveillance systems. The demonstration was the second that the system has undertaken, following earlier trials fitted on a two-seat URO VAMTAC S3 vehicle.
In its standard configuration, EIMOS uses an 81mm mortar and can fire 16-18 rounds per minute with a maximum range of 6.9 km at maximum charge. A 60mm tube can also be used, offering a range of 4.9 km. During the demonstration, the 81mm system displayed continuous accuracy – hitting the same target at ranges of up to 4 km despite challenging wind conditions.
EIMOS is designed to be rapidly brought into operation, with the system demonstrating readiness to fire in around 30 seconds once on station. During the demonstration in Almeria, Spain, the system undertook two firing scenarios – a rapid halt and fire, and a convoy ambush.
The mortar turntable can be slewed through 180° into a firing position in less than 20 seconds, with the operation performed by a crew commander from within the vehicle. The fire control system utilises an inertial navigation system and a differential GPS. EIMOS also features an onboard meteorological station to assist in localised accuracy. A recoil absorption system reduces the amount of shock passed onto the vehicle chassis by up to 90%, according to Expal.
EIMOS has a number of redundancies built in, designed to provide continuity in fire support operations. Should the link between the firing unit and the in-cab control system break, the mortar tube can be rotated and aimed using a joystick located on the mortar unit itself. Should the entire turntable and aiming unit become inoperable, the mortar tube can be removed from the firing unit and attached to a tripod and baseplate that are stored on the vehicle.
08 Dec 16. On 8 December, France’s Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian visited the RENAULT TRUCKS Defense factory in Fourchambault (Nièvre), celebrating ten years of successful outsourcing on a military base in the process of closure. During this visit he announced that the unprotected light passenger vehicle (VLTP-NP) contract had been awarded to RTD.
Ten years ago RENAULT TRUCKS Defense took over the site of the 15th BSMAT, a military equipment support base, to make it its CMCO (Centre de Maintien en Condition Opérationnelle – operational readiness centre). The site has acquired recognized expertise in equipment regeneration, in particular through its experience reconditioning VABs returning from operations.
Moreover, the CMCO plant has become for three years the production’s excellency center for all the RENAULT TRUCKS Defense’ s most recent ranges armoured hulls, as the SHERPA, the VAB Mark 3 and the BASTION.
The CMCO now has close to 300 employees and is preparing to become the logistics hub for all the components and spare parts for Griffon and Jaguar, the vehicles in the Scorpion programme manufactured by the short term joint venture made up of Nexter Systems, Thales and RENAULT TRUCKS Defense.
During the visit, the Minister of Defence was presented with the future special forces vehicles, special forces heavy vehicles (PLFS – Poids Lourd des Forces Spéciales), the first 25 of which will be available at the end of December, and the special forces light vehicle, which is still in the design stage.
In addition, he announced that at the end of a competitive tendering process which mobilized the RTD teams for several months, a contract to acquire 3,700 unprotected light transport vehicles (VLTP NP) and to supply their support system would be rapidly confirmed. PRESS
3700 vehicles