24th December 2020 14:37:22 Hours
In what could be considered a revolutionary breakthrough in the fast changing dynamics of warfare technology, the Sri Lanka Army Research Analysis Projection and Development Branch (RAP&DBr), dedicated to research, innovate and produce indigenous and modern technically-advanced capabilities as stimulated by Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, has initiated the locally-manufactured first ever Hand-Held Mortar Computer (HHMC) for Infantry Mortar Fire Control System (IMFCS) of the Sri Lanka Army.
Brigadier Prasanna Jayawardena, Commandant Infantry Training Centre, Brigadier Srinath Ariyasinghe, Director General Infantry, Brigadier Sudath Udayasena, Principal Investigator of the project, instructors and training staff a few days ago for the first time operated this ballistic computer system which could incorporate network-centric warfare capabilities, computerized command and the control system to integrate its indirect weapon operations in future after the product was initially presented to the Commander of the Army at the Army HQ who has been the catalyst behind the expedition of frequency and speed of those new innovations under the RAP & DBr.
The Infantry Mortar Fire Control System (IMFCS) is an automated fire control system, designed to provide improvements in command and control of mortar fires and the speed of employment, accuracy, agility, accuracy, clear communication and survivability of mortars. An intuitive touch screen interface, coupled with high performance ballistic parameter modelling, ensures weapon aiming data is produced swiftly and accurately in order to provide the required effect in the battlefield. Each mortar crew will accordingly have the capability to compute its own fire missions and communicate digitally with the Fire Direction Centre (FDC) and the system accuracy is increased through the use of an onboard azimuth reference and digital meteorological (MET) updates since current IMFCS include only conventional ammunition with a variety of fuzing, weapons that range from 81/82 mm mortars.
The Army considering the multiple nature of digitalized threats, etc expects to launch its envisioned plans to initiate transformational steps that would go hand in hand with fast changing digital and ballistic technology, suitable for all smoothbore and rifled mortars, incorporating the latest Mobile Operating System software and advanced digital mapping applications. The HHMC is considered the most advanced ballistic computer in its class, capable of simultaneously controlling different weapon types engaged in the same fire mission and providing battlefield troops with required digital mapping, military map symbols of high degree of situational awareness, etc.
The IMFCS provides an on-board fire control system where mortar crews are allowed to set up and fire within one minute or less, down from the current eight minutes while accuracy is increased by four factors and crew survivability enhanced. The IMFCS is also fully compatible with the Army- innovated Artillery Fire Control System (SRI MANA), increasing situational awareness and reducing the probability of fratricide. The ability to fire quickly and accurately and then move to another location is critical to improving the safety of troops and the innovated HHMC provides degree of self-reliance in critical defence environments and can hurriedly set up and calculate a fire control solution, fire, and begin redeployment in no time.
The project in earnest was initiated when the incumbent Commander of the Army was in office as Chief of Staff before a year ago after instructions to that effect were given to then Commandant at Infantry Training School, Major General Jayashantha Gamage, now the Military Secretary at the AHQ.
The RAP&D Br of the Army, mandated to utilize new and latest methods and technology to improve the current technical, tactical and administrative needs for efficiency and effectiveness of the Sri Lanka Army, in the most recent past has made remarkable strides in the sphere of innovations, production of sophisticated remote-controlled accessories and vehicles. Artillery Fire Control System - ‘Sri Mana’, Hand-held Ballistic Calculator, Multiple Integrated Advanced Weapon Simulator System, T-56 Small Arms Firing Simulator, Under Vehicle Scanning System with Anywhere Searcher, researched, produced or innovated by Army members in all island-wide formations are among some of such outstanding RAP & D Br inventions.best shoes | Nike SB
