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EFSS Concept
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The U.S. Marine Corps sees the 120mm Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) mortar as the 3rd leg of its triad of land-based fire support for expeditionary operations.

General Dynamics – Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) in St. Petersburg, FL got the go-ahead to make 20 EFSS and supporting equipment under a $20.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order 0021, part of a previously awarded contract (M67854-05-D-6014). GD-OTS will supply 20 full-rate production EFSS together with their corresponding basic issue item kits, additional authorization list hardware and mortar weapon spares. The GD-OTS subcontractor on the program is TDA Armements (THALES Group) in La Ferte-Saint Aubin, France.

DID has more on the EFSS and a recently awarded GD-OTS contract for the related Internally Transported Vehicle…

The EFSS provides all-weather, ground-based, close supporting, lethal indirect fires. The EFSS includes a launcher, mobility platform (prime mover), ammunition (not included in this order), ammunition supply vehicle, and technical fire direction equipment necessary for orienting the weapon on to an azimuth of fire and computing firing data. At the center of EFSS is the 120mm M327 mortar that combines the firepower of a mortar with the precision and range of a field artillery piece. The system can effectively fire both rifled and smoothbore ammunition. At 1,798 lbs., the 120mm M327 is the Marines’ largest internally transportable indirect fire support system and provides the maneuver commander with greater fire support capability against an array of targets.

The EFSS [PDF] will be the 3rd and final system of the USMC’s land-based fire support triad that includes the lightweight 155mm howitzer and high mobility artillery rocket system. Accompanying Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) in expeditionary operations, EFSS will be the primary indirect fire support system for the vertical assault element of the Ship-To-Objective Maneuver force. As such, the EFSS launcher, the mobility platform, a portion of the basic load of ammunition, and a portion of its crew will be internally transportable by a single CH-53E helicopter and/or a single V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft.

Lots Riding on V-22 Osprey has more on how the EFSS and Internally Transported Vehicle (ITV) are designed to fit into the V-22 Osprey.

In addition to the EFSS contract, GD-OTS received a $10 million contract modification to a previously awarded contract (M67854-05-D-6014) for an additional 40 full-rate production ITVs together with their basic issue item kits and additional authorization list hardware. The ITV is an expeditionary vehicle that can be carried on the V-22 Osprey, which supports amphibious operations, irregular warfare and enhanced company operations. GD-OTS will perform the work in Robbins, NC (42%, vehicle assembly); Forest, VA (30%, fabrication-unibodies, etc.); Columbus, OH (17%, armor and blast attenuation seats); and St. Petersburg, FL (11%, powerpack integration). The company expects to complete the work by Nov. 30/10.

Earlier this year, GD-OTS successfully fielded EFSS with USMC Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Artillery Regiment located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Each battalion in the 10th Marine Regiment received 6 EFSS systems comprising a pair of prime mover vehicles, a 120mm M327 mortar weapon, ammunition family and trailer.

GD-OTS will perform the work under this task order at St. Aubin, France (63%); Robbins, NC (22%); and Forest, VA (15%), and expects to complete it by Dec. 30/10. The basic contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA manages the contract.