Message no. 1

From:	ral@***************.com (Robert Landrigan)
Subject:	Mortars
Date:	Thu, 27 Feb 2003 12:58:18 -0600

Mortars can fire over buildings. Very useful in a city - take a look at the
"trashcan mortars" the IRA has used once or twice, cheap, and the potential
to be somewhat effective.

Also, my earlier post got eaten, but in response to a drone mortar
carrier...

While a stock Steel lynx may not have the room to carry a mortar, I can see
how a modified one could be kitted out with a 60, maybe a 81mm tube with
some creativity. If you envision the mortar being attach the to Lynx via a
linkage at the rear that controlled only elevation, with 4 panels on the end
of the tube that would unfold and act as the the baseplate. The drone would
orient itself in the correct direction, the use the front legs in concert
with the rear "hinge" attachment point to control elevation, and the lock
the legs with a reinforced mechanism. The baseplate would then be supporting
the majority of the drone's weight, as the rear legs are not carrying any
load. The unit could quickly shoot and scoot to avoid counter-battery fire,
or, alternatively, could be used as part of a retreat or withdrawal to lay
down a moving smoke screen/harassing fire.

Since the weapon would need to be magazine fed, you could have direct-fire
capabilities as well(HE or flechette), and perhaps have vent ports to allow
for decreased minimum ranges?

In this case, of course, you wouldn't have the traditional turret - but
imagine the defensive possibilities of a BattleTac linked network and
several of these critters - once fed fire missions, they would not need
direct control...
--
Robert Landrigan
ral@***************.com
901.754.1601