The US Army has awarded Global Military Products a $12.9-million contract to procure and integrate the Scorpion Light 81mm mortar system onto new Infantry Squad Vehicle–Utility (ISV-U) platforms.
GM Defense’s ISV-U is a militarized Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 with five seats and a rear cargo bed for the mobile mortar system. Mounting the Scorpion Light turns the light utility vehicle into a highly mobile indirect-fire platform.
In March, the US Marine Corps also procured the mortar system for integration onto Polaris MRZR Alpha 6×6 vehicles, demonstrating its compatibility with multiple mobile platforms.
Scorpion Light will use US Army digital fire-control technologies and government-furnished M253 mortar barrels, while integrating Nett Warrior networking to digitally transmit target data. Together, these capabilities enable faster targeting, digital fire missions, and rapid re-aiming with minimal crew intervention, shortening the sensor-to-shooter kill chain, according to the Florida-based company.
Scorpion Light Refined With Soldier Feedback
Designed for precision indirect fire and rapid displacement, the Scorpion Light can fire eight rounds and relocate in under two minutes, with the first round fired within 30 seconds and displacement completed within 30 seconds of the final shot.
Over the past two years, the US Army and Global Military Products have refined and tested the system through Soldier Enhancement Program and Cooperative Research and Development Agreement initiatives, incorporating soldier feedback to improve its mobility, lethality, survivability, and effectiveness.
“The enhanced capabilities provided by the next-generation Scorpion mobile mortar system directly support the Army’s Transformation Initiative and its transition toward smaller, more agile and highly lethal combat formations,” Global Military Products Director James Knight said.
“Over the past two years, we have worked closely with Army stakeholders and soldiers to continuously evaluate, iterate, and refine the Scorpion platform based on operational feedback,” he added.
