AUSA 2022: Elbit Systems contracted for new US Army mortar barrels

Soldiers practice firing an M120 120 mm mortar. (US DoD)

The US Army in September 2022 awarded Elbit Systems of America an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract to produce M121 120 mm Carrier Mounted Mortar Systems and M120A1 120 mm Ground Mounted Mortar Systems, a potentially wide-ranging contract that is focused on producing mortar barrels, company officials told Janes on 10 October.

Elbit Systems of America was the incumbent and the contract was competitively awarded following completion of the initial ID/IQ contract that began in 2016. The period of performance for the new deal is till 2027 and could be worth a maximum of USD49 million. The army placed an initial order under this ID/IQ valued at about USD10 million, the company said.

Chris Kennedy, marketing director for Elbit Systems of America, told Janes that mortar barrel production is the bulk of this deal.

It could also potentially cover more M326 120 mm Mortar Stowage Kits (MSKs) as well. The MSK is a trailer-mounted system to aid soldiers in rapidly emplacing, firing, and stowing an already assembled 120 mm mortar.