Elbit Systems Ltd. has been awarded a lucrative contract to enhance the firepower of General Dynamics European Land Systems’ armored vehicles. The $53 million agreement entails equipping the Pandur 6×6 APC wheeled armored vehicles with the state-of-the-art Crossbow Mortar Systems (Unmanned Turreted 120mm Soft Recoil Mortar Systems).
The deal, which extends over a six-year period, represents the first major contract for the Crossbow Mortar system since its debut at the DSEI exhibition in London last year. The Crossbow system is distinguished by its rapid deployment capability, allowing mortar operators to fire the first round in under 30 seconds, and boasts a high rate of fire—up to ten rounds per minute, with a sustained rate of six rounds per minute.
Designed to operate with a variety of NATO 120mm ammunition types, including the precision-guided Iron Sting mortar munition, the Crossbow system ensures a formidable range of up to 10 kilometers. Notably, the system’s turret does not require index loading and provides a full 360° firing capability, significantly enhancing the vehicle’s operational flexibility and the crew’s protection and survivability.
Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land: “We are proud to receive the first order from a leading international costumer for our state-of-the-art Crossbow Unmanned Turreted Mortar System. The turreted mortar, with its precise guided round, reaffirms our commitment to developing and providing innovative and advanced land systems as solutions to the evolving needs of the modern battlefield.”
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