Scorpion Light 81 mobile mortar systems trialled at US Army TiC 2.0 event in Hawaii

A pair of Scorpion Light 81 mm mobile mortar systems from Tampa-based Global Military Products have been demonstrating their worth during one of the US Army’s Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 events in Hawaii.

Held at Schofield Barracks on Oahu from 20 to 25 October 2025 the TiC 2.0 event provided soldiers from the US Army’s 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, with a hands-on opportunity to evaluate next-generation equipment in realistic field scenarios.

Using two Scorpion Light systems mounted on Infantry Squad Vehicle – Utility (ISV-U) variants, the trials demonstrated that, “without any changes to the formation or concepts of operations, soldiers were able to emplace, fire rounds and displace faster than ever before”, Global Military Products stated.

The ISV-U-mounted Scorpion Light systems demonstrated an ability to emplace, fire and displace in under two minutes: a ‘shoot and scoot’ capability critical for survivability on the modern battlefield, allowing mortar teams to engage targets and reposition before an adversary can return effective counter-battery fire. As well as the Scorpion Light 81 mm mortar itself, each ISV-U can also carry 72 mortar rounds.

The Scorpion Light’s advanced digital fire control system also demonstrated rapid, accurate targeting and re-aiming with minimal crew intervention during the trials. Soldiers used this capability to engage multiple targets quickly and efficiently during simulated combat operations. The system can also operate with third-party fire control.

The two Scorpion Light systems will stay in Hawaii to take part in planned Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) training exercises in early November 2025, where the system will be transported via C-17 airlifter for air insertion to participate in multiple days of combat scenarios.

The Scorpion Light system can also be internally transported by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for rapid deployment in remote and austere environments, facilitating critical indirect fire support to airmobile light infantry formations.

Global Military Products pointed out in a press release that the Scorpion Light’s success in Hawaii follows other recent US evaluations, including a live-fire demonstration with the US Marine Corps at Marine Corps Base Quantico in August 2025. A version of the same system is also seeing operational success in Ukraine.

The direct feedback gathered from soldiers during TiC 2.0 events is an integral part of the US Army’s modernisation process. This feedback will directly inform future improvements and guide acquisition decisions for future weapon systems, platforms and equipment.