XM1204 Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar (NLOS-M).

Within the US Army Future Combat Systems is the Non-Line Of Sight Mortar (NLOS-M) requirement.When compared to existing 120 mm mortar systems used by the US Army, the NLOS mortar is required to have enhanced range, accuracy and lethality. The NLOS-M will be one of a number of indirect-fire systems allocated to a Unit of Action with the others including an NLOS Cannon and Netfire.

The chassis of the NLOS-M is almost identical to that used in the NLOS-C also being developed by BAE Systems, Armament Systems, for the US Army. Details of NLOS-C are provided in a separate entry. NLOS-C, now designated the XM1203, shares some 80 per-cent of common components with the NLOS-M 120 mm designated XM1204.While the NLOS-C has a crew of two all seated towards the front of the vehicle, the NLOS-M will have a crew of three seated in an arrowhead arrangement. First test firings from the 120 mm mortar firing platform were carried out in early 2007 with the mortar installed on a test stand. The first NLOS-M shot was fired using a 120 mm M931 training round and by late 2007 over 600 rounds had been firing using a rest stand. The 120 mm smooth bore breech loaded mortar used in NLOS-C has been designed by Benet Lab. The mortar has an in bore air regulation system which will not only enable the weapon to be fired at low angles of elevation but also provides for a safer method of extracting misfired rounds without endangering the crew. Further tests of NLOS-C will take place through 2008. It is expected that the first complete prototype systems will be completed in 2001 for use by the FCS Army Evaluation Task Force and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) will commence in 2014. Production systems will have a semi-automated ammunition loading system and a fully automated computerised fire-control system.