Small initiatives have brought mortar systems to a higher level. One such initiative developed by Hirtenberger Defence Systems in Austria, is a digital aiming system which reduces the time it takes to deploy the system and fire on an enemy position.

“In former times it was necessary to set up the mortar, which takes one minute, then aim it, which takes roughly 10 minutes, says Martin Perka, director of sales and projects at Hirtenberger Defence Systems. “We developed a digital aiming system which means when you build up the mortar you know already in which direction it is [firing]. These are the small steps that at the end of the day, give you shoot-and-scoot capability.”

Hirtenberger launched its GRAM Digital Aiming System for hand-fired commando mortars in 2017. "You can digitally arm the weapon which has changed how much you need to train, which is the first real benefit,” says Perka.

Video: Hirtenberger Digital Mortar Systems at Eurosatory 2024

 In addition to the training and hit probability benefits, the aiming system allows soldiers to stay behind cover when aiming the mortar rather than revealing their position to the enemy.  

Hirtenberger plans to bring the aiming system to other digital devices and to use it in larger battlefield environments, but still independent from any air support.

However, with NATO forces shifting from the 60mm commando mortar to larger calibre (more than 80 mm)  mortars based on the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, Perka says it is also bringing digital aiming systems to the 120mm mortar.  

The system can also be integrated into battlefield management systems. In 2022 Hirtenberger won a tender to provide a full digital fire control system for New Zealand Defence Forces. The Arc-Fire integrated fire control system was used with NZDF howitzers and mortars with fully digital “sensor-to-shooter” capability.