At DSEI 2025, Singapore’s ST Engineering unveiled their Light Reconnaissance Strike concept. In a nutshell, this is a platform-agnostic upgrade kit which allows users to modify in-service platforms to generate a relatively low-cost, mobile precision strike capability which can also be networked with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets.
- Electronic architecture kit (EAK) – This is the networked communications component of the LRS system, which allows the host vehicle to be networked with external assets such as command and control (C2) or intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) plaforms – for instance, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and various others. The external assets are then able to provide target location and cueing for the effector component.
- Ground deployed advanced mortar system (GDAMS) – a vehicle-mounted mortar system (available in 81 mm and 120 mm) which serves as the effector component of the precision strike system. The mortar is manually muzzle-loaded, but can be automatically laid onto a set of target coordinates provided by external ISR assets. Also offered as part of the GDAMS is an appliqué muzzle-mounted blast diffuser, which decreases the weapon’s acoustic signature during firing. For the precision strike role, the manufacturer has indicated that the notional munition of choice would be mortar bombs using global navigation satellites system (GNSS) guidance.
These subcomponents can be integrated separately or together, onto any land platform capable of meeting the weight requirements, and can be operated by a crew of just two. At DSEI, ST Engineering showcased the integration on multiple light platforms including the Supacat/Babcock HMT 400 4×4 (known as Jackal), the TAC-6 6×6 (effectively an extended Toyota Hilux), and the Ford Ranger Super Duty 4×4.
Similar concepts revolving around using UAVs to direct artillery fire missions have been in use for several years, most notably in Ukraine. However, what is interesting about the Light Reconnaissance Strike concept is that it effectively represents a relatively low-cost upgrade package which provides both digital networking and an effector, and which can be flexibly supplemented with the addition of UAVs and/or guided rounds to increase its effectiveness. The fact that it can be integrated even with platforms in the utility vehicle class would also notionally make it an option for many of the vehicle types used by special forces.
