DSEI 2023: Milanion NTGS integrates Alakran-S mortar on Polaris MRZR A…

The Alakran-S mounted on a Polaris MRZR Alpha 4 all-terrain vehicle at DSEI in September 2023. The mortar is shown in its deployed position, with the screen for the fire-control system on the left side. (Janes/Sonny Butterworth)

Milanion New Technologies Global Systems (NTGS) and Polaris Government & Defense publicly displayed the Alakran-S 81 mm mortar system mounted on a Polaris MRZR Alpha 4 4×4 vehicle for the first time at the DSEI 2023 exhibition in London.

The Alakran-S (the ‘S' denoting ‘small') made its debut at IDEX 2023 mounted on a commercial Polaris platform, the RZR all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Unlike the RZR, the MRZR Alpha is a purpose-built military platform that possesses greater cross-country mobility and an increased payload, both of which are expected to make the combination more attractive to military customers.

Since its unveiling, the Alakran-S is understood to have been trialled in the United States on Polaris' MRZR Alpha 4 and its Deployable Advanced Ground Off-road (DAGOR) military vehicles. The experience with testing the system has led to updates to the fire-control system (FCS) software to enable zonal firing and to automate the recalibration of the mortar's position, as repeated firing from the same position can lead to minor shifts that will affect accuracy if not accounted for.