# Thales South Africa revolutionizes mortar operation with digital upgrades

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2024/08/thales-south-africa-revolutionizes-mortar-operation-with-digital-upgrades/
- Published: 2024-08-10T10:05:19+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

Thales South Africa has unveiled a groundbreaking solution to enhance the precision
and efficiency of conventional mortar systems. The company’s newly developed Mortar
Fire Control System (MFCS) and Automated Mortar Fire Control System (AMFCS) are 
set to redefine the landscape of indirect fire support.

### The Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS)

At the core of these advancements is the MFCS, a modular system adaptable to mortars
ranging from 60mm to 120mm. Designed as a cost-effective and lightweight upgrade,
the MFCS significantly improves accuracy by introducing digital fire control to 
conventional platforms.

Key components of the MFCS include a rugged tablet computer equipped with GPS, data
communication units, and specialized MFCS software tailored for both mortar fire
controllers and command posts. To ensure precision, the system incorporates an optical
heading and reference system to counteract drift over time.

### The Automated Mortar Fire Control System (AMFCS)

For an even higher level of automation, Thales offers the AMFCS, also known as the
Scorpion. This fully automated weapon system can be interchangeably mounted on various
calibers, including 60mm, 81mm, 82mm mortars, and 107mm rockets. The system’s heart
is the AS 4000, which controls the mortar’s elevation and azimuth through a 360-
degree electric traverse mechanism.

To streamline operations without compromising reliability or weight, the AMFCS employs
a manual loading system instead of an auto-loader. For rapid target acquisition 
and engagement in various weather conditions, the system can be integrated with 
the Thales Sophie binocular/thermal imager, complete with a laser rangefinder.

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A crucial feature of the AMFCS is its recoil mitigation system, enabling integration
into smaller and lighter vehicles. The mortar itself can be easily detached and 
transferred between platforms, ensuring flexibility in deployment.

### Enhanced Capabilities and Operational Benefits

Thales highlights that the AMFCS drastically reduces reaction time, with mortars
ready to engage targets within 20 seconds, a 95% improvement over conventional systems.
This rapid deployment capability facilitates “shoot and scoot” tactics.

The system’s automation ensures high first-round hit probability and minimizes dispersion
across the target area. Notably, the AMFCS can operate effectively in GPS-denied
environments and is equipped to detect GPS spoofing.

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Currently in service with the South African Special Forces, the AMFCS has garnered
significant international interest, with Thales actively promoting the system to
global markets.

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Thales South Africa’s MFCS and AMFCS represent a substantial leap forward in mortar
technology. By combining advanced digital fire control with automation, these systems
offer military forces unparalleled accuracy, speed, and operational efficiency.

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