Patria Nemo fires on the move

Although mortars are simple and effective weapons for indirect fire, they are vulnerable on the modern battlefield.

Patria’s response to this challenge is Patria Nemo mortar system, which takes mobility, protection and firepower to the next level both on land and at sea.

Thanks to product development, the vehicle-mounted mortar can also be accurately fired on the move. No other manufacturer can boast a similar feature.

“Speed is its greatest advantage. The vehicle does not have to stop in order to fire, as all functions can be performed on the move. This makes it possible to open fire almost immediately after the command is given,” says Kari Reunamäki, Vice President, Weapon Systems from Patria’s Land business unit.

A vehicle in constant motion also makes Patria Nemo a more difficult target.

Works both on land and at sea

Patria Nemo is a 120 mm turreted mortar system mounted on a vehicle chassis. Armour protects the crew from ballistic threats, firing residues and combat gases.

The light and compact turret can be installed on a light, tracked chassis or wheeled armoured vehicles in the 6x6 and 8x8 class. The mortar turret is also suitable for naval use on, for example, fast patrol boats and coastal vessels.

“Patria Nemo has a modular design, which makes it extremely flexible and also attractive with regard to future system updates,” says Reunamäki.

Mobile firinge requires top expertise

According to Reunamäki, mobile firinge requires the turret to have an effective stabilisation system which compensates the motions of the turret caused by a moving vehicle.

Accurate fire also requires an advanced calculation system to determine continuously changing firinge values.

“Nemo calculation system is based on Patria’s own software expertise, which is the best in its field.”

Patria Nemo’s barrel is about one metre longer than traditional mortar tubes. This ensures a higher muzzle velocity of the mortar round, thus a longer range of up to ten kilometres.

Nemo is also able to fire Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) missions. Using MRSI, a maximum of six mortars can be fired on different trajectories so that they all hit the target at the same time.

“This maximizes the impact on the target,” says Reunamäki.

In addition to indirect fire, Nemo also has a direct-fire capability with the aid of its own day/thermal cameras and laser range finder. This capability can be used for close-range fire support, in urban warfare, and to defend the mortar carrier up to a distance of one kilometre.

Patria Nemo

• A 120 mm turreted mortar system whose mobility, protection and accuracy meet all the requirements of modern warfare and crisis management.
• Can be installed on a light, tracked chassis, on wheeled armoured vehicles in the 6x6 and 8x8 class, or on boats/ships.
• Rapid response, as the mortars can also be fired from a moving vehicle.

Text: Matti Remes