The US Army has begun pushing its classic 81mm mortars to deliver more punch and longer reach while retaining its signature portability feature.
At the center of the effort is an enhanced 81mm high‑explosive cartridge, known as E81, being developed by researchers at the service’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM).
The goal is ambitious: deliver 120mm-level lethality from an 81mm round, packing more firepower into a compact, lighter cartridge.
Rather than starting from scratch, the E81 design will blend existing fuzes and explosives with a modernized warhead to make it more lethal while keeping costs and integration challenges in check.
By leveraging as many currently in-service components as possible, researchers could also mitigate the risks that usually come with developing entirely new technologies.
“This system will give commanders more flexibility to maneuver with more timely, lethal, and accurate indirect fires,” Infantry Brigade Combat Team Capability Developer Robert Lucas said.
What Comes Next
The E81 cartridge is being developed under the Enhanced Range and Lethality Mortar Systems (ERLMS) program, which aims to pair upgraded mortar munitions with modern fire-control systems.
The broader objective is to “mitigate the counter-battery threat by increasing battlefield mobility and providing a more survivable battalion mortar system.”
To accelerate development, researchers are working closely with industry partners and plan to bring in specialized expertise through future contracts.
“Leveraging the in-house modeling, simulation, and laboratory capabilities at the Armaments Center, the ERLMS team is able to rapidly evaluate and refine multiple designs, reducing the development time,” Armaments Center Project Officer Matt Manzione said.
“This allows us to reduce iterations of fabrication and testing, expediting the transition to a program of record.”
