In France , we have moved to combination of 155 mm and 120 mm rifle mortar very accurate, light, and with a 13 km range.

155 mm shell are more efficient against fortification and urban area and can also carry smart (antitank) submunitions or M77 like cluster submunitions much more efficient than a single shell vs infantry.We use Bonus (antitank with dual smart submunition) and Ogre shell (63 submunitions anti light armour and personnel).

A single 105 mm shell is too small to accomodate those charges.

Make the calculus: a single shell of 105 mm has effect of 6 submuntions of Ogre shell.A single Ogre shell has effect of 10 105 shell.A single 105 mm artillery howtizer will fire twice shell but 10 time less effectives.

120 mm mortar shell can accomodate also submuntions.

105 mm shell is also  to light to have efficientness of HE 155 mm agaisnt trenchs or concrete structures.

Choice is easy.

105 mm is obsolete.

What is most suitable depends on the circumstances - the nature of the target and the effect required, not forgetting the constraints of collateral damage, leaving a 'dirty battlefield' never forgetting own troop safety, which includes consideration of protection and distance as well as munitions effects. 

 

The related issue is the advances in technolgy - in munitions effects, in extending range and in 'mobility'.  The ramifications of the last, which has little to do with tracks or wheels, has taken a while to become apparant because so few armies have it.  For example the Taliban are currently referring to UK 105mm arty as 'the British secret weapon', because of their high mobility, responsiveness and sufficiently effective munitions.  It's also noteworthy that in 2003 105mm engaged in actions against 122mm and 152mm, the fire was two way, and the 105s were the only onse still standing after it.  Of course this also highlights another point - training and competance.

 

Yet another matter is seeing indirect fire effects from a variety of delivery systems with differing characteristcs in terms of range, responsiveness and munition effects. 

The last I heard regarding the 120 Morter system for the Marine Corp was that the developmental testing was not going entirely to plan!!!!  The Program Manager for that is the former PM from the M777 program, Col Garner.  Main issue I am aware of is the integration of US Optical Fire Control and making it survive the G Loads.  As a favour to the guys who work on that system I designed a Boresight verification tool for the weapon.  Sensible thing would have been to buy the entire system of the shelf from the French which would have included the Optical Fire Control specifically developed for the system.  I also think it is getting a digital system.

A-400 Transportable Project ...

That has to be one of the ugliest military vehicles it has ever been my misfortune to clap eyes on.

I would love to see a truck mounted varient using the FMTV, only problem is the FMTV is a very tall vehicle, so there goes anything less than C17 transportability which kind of defeats the purpose!!!!

Got my truck designations mixed up, meant the MTVR, the FMTV is the US Armys new truck and it sucks!!!!