Draft:Elbit Crossbow
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| Elbit Crossbow | |
|---|---|
| Type | 120mm Mortar |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Elbit Systems |
| Unit cost | est. 2-3 million USD |
| Produced | 2024 (planned) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.2t |
| Crew | 2 (mortar crew only) |
| Caliber | 120mm |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Maximum firing range | 10km |
| Feed system | automatic from a 28 round magazine |
The Elbit Crossbow is an automatic 120 mm mortar mounted in a rotating turret for use on a mortar carrier armoured vehicle, developed by Israel's Elbit Systems. The mortar is expected to be ready for production in the second half of 2024.[1]
Design and features[edit]
The mortar, developed to the order of the Israel Defense Forces, can attack targets more than 10 kilometers away, and its maximum rate of fire is 10 rounds per minute, but in order to avoid overheating of the barrel, it can only fire 6 rounds per minute permanently. The mortar can be ready to be fire a in 30 seconds. It also has Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) capabilities, which means that it can fire several shots with different trajectories, the projectiles of which hit the target area at roughly the same time. This is important because the enemy does not have time to react, take cover or counterattack. It can fire up to 6 grenades in MRSI mode at distances between 2.5 and 5 km.[1] The mortar turret can carry 28 ready-to-launch grenades. The system can also fire Iron Sting guided mortar shells. The armor protection of the approximately 2.2-ton[2] tower corresponds to level 1 according to the STANAG 4569 standard, but it can be increased up to level 4. Even in the latter case, the turret's weight remains below 3.2 tons, so it can be installed in almost any combat vehicle and can fire accurately while moving. Parallel to the mortar, a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun is also located in the tower, which can be used to fight against enemy infantry and drones that come close to the combat vehicle.[1][2]
Users[edit]
Austria - The Bundesheer ordered Crossbow mortar turrets worth EUR 53 million in May 2024. The mortars are planned to be installed on Pandur EVO 6×6 combat vehicles. The contract will be completed between 2024 and 2030.[3]
Israel - According to plans, the Crossbow will become operational in late 2024 or early 2025 with the Israel Defense Forces, installed on Oshkosh FMTV armored trucks and containers.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "DSEI 2023 – Elbit Systems unveils Crossbow, its next generation 120 mm turreted mortar system". 14 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Crossbow". YouTube. Elbit Systems. 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Elbit Systems Awarded Approximately $53 Million Contract to Supply Crossbow Unmanned Turreted Mortar Systems for a European Customer". Elbit Systems.
- ^ "Jane's - IAV 2023: Elbit presents Crossbow turreted mortar". Jane's.