US Special Forces to acquire mobile mortar system

Global Military Products displayed its 80 mm mortar system at the 2026 SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida. (Andrew White)

The US Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is set to become the main beneficiary of 81 mm Scorpion Light Mobile Mortar Systems as part of a 24 February contract with the USMC, a defence industry source told Janes.

Speaking to Janes at the SOF Week exhibition in Tampa, Florida on 19 May, the source confirmed MARSOC Raiders will be furnished with the Global Military Products (GMP)-made equipment toward the end of the year. The mortars are meant to help reduce training cycles and increase mobility, efficiency, and survivability, GMP, a Global Ordnance Company, director of business development James Knight, told Janes during the event.

The USMC awarded GMP a USD4.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for an undisclosed number the so-called ‘hinged-mortar' systems, according to an USMC statement at the time.

Knight declined to confirm which unit would ultimately use the USMC's mobile mortar system.

The system, legacy fire control unit, and ammunition storage solutions are designed and manufactured by Spanish company NTGS, with the systems upgraded for US sale by GMP. Internationally, the system is also called ‘Alakran'.

The MARSOC variant will see the mortar and ammunition storage integrated on board Polaris Government and Defense's MRZR-Alpha 6x6 vehicle. The variant will feature the Nett Warrior fire control system instead of NTGS's legacy solution.

Deliveries are due to begin in September following the integration of the Nett Warrior fire control system (FCS). The move is currently being led and undertaken by the US Army, which is in final discussions to acquire 16 systems, according to the source.