Marines order 120mm mortar rounds

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 9 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Florida will supply the U.S. Marines with 120mm mortar rounds under a contract worth as much as $199 million.

Two delivery orders under the indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract have already been awarded by the Marine's Ordnance and Tactical Systems command, the company said.

The ammunition for the service's Expeditionary Fire Support System is a family of spin-stabilized, insensitive munitions, including high explosive, smoke, illumination and practice rounds.

The rounds share common design elements, as well as a common primer and propelling charge.

"The EFSS ammunition is designed to maximize the precision and accuracy of the 120mm, M327 mortar weapon and provide increased lethality over conventional mortar ammunition," said Dean Bartles, vice president and general manager of large-caliber ammunition for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

The Expeditionary Fire Support System is a light, mobile and vertically transportable indirect fire support system designed for missions requiring tactical versatility, speed and close-in fire support. The system is composed of a pair of Prime Mover vehicles, a 120mm M327 mortar weapon, the four-round family of munitions and an ammunition trailer.