M1061 mortar cartridge gets full materiel release

Orbital ATK’s M1061 60mm mortar cartridge has been approved for full materiel release (FMR) by the US Joint Munitions Command, the company announced on 27 October.

FMR shows that the US Army has rigorously tested and evaluated the warhead and determined it is safe, operationally suitable and logistically supportable for use. 

The M1061 is a 60mm high-explosive cartridge developed by Orbital ATK, Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland, and the US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center at the Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. 

The cartridge was developed to increase the effectiveness of the 60mm mortar while improving its insensitive munitions characteristics. The increase in lethality (to near 81mm lethality) was accomplished by utilising a matrix comprised of pre-formed fragments and PBXN-110 explosive. 

The M1061’s performance-enhancing fragmentation technology has been successfully tested on warheads ranging in size from 0.5 to 250lbs. M1061 warheads with LEO technology achieved increased wide-area effects as compared with conventional warheads.

More than 12,000 M1061 cartridges have been produced by Orbital ATK during the initial phases of its development.

Pat Nolan, vice president and general manager of Orbital ATK’s missile products, said: ‘Our goal at Orbital ATK has always been to increase the safety of our warfighters while maximising their options in the field, and the M1061 is a perfect example of this strategic capability.

‘We will continue to innovate with our LEO technology, both for today’s upgraded threats and for solutions to meet future compliance standards.’