The STAG-5 EO/IR Gimbal with Laser Designator (LTD) successfully assisted a demonstration of precision strikes during the “Iron Sting” event to validate precision mortar ammunition. It highlighted the role of advanced targeting capabilities for precise, long-range strikes. The event was organized by the Capability Development & Innovation (CD&I) – formerly the Directorate for Technical Support in Irregular Warfare (IWTSD) – within the Special Operations Support Secretariat (SSO) to support the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).
Precision Strikes with Laser Designator
At the White Sage Mortar Range in Dugway, Utah, the event evaluated the safety, accuracy, and range performance of next-generation precision mortar munitions. Operators also gained hands-on experience handling new technologies in realistic scenarios.
During the event, a PDW-C100 drone equipped with the DRS STAG-5 EO/IR gimbal and laser designator supported target marking for mortar missions, whose range exceeded the standard maximum range of a conventional 120-mm mortar. The successful execution of repeated missions demonstrated the operational persistence and reliability required for field deployment and underscored the value of advanced laser-designation capabilities in modern fire-support workflows.
“The STAG-5 was designed to provide operators with precise and reliable ISR and target acquisition capabilities that can enhance mission effectiveness across a wide range of operating environments,” said Jerry Hathaway, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Electro-Optical Infrared Systems (EOIS) at Leonardo DRS. “Events like ‘Iron Sting’ highlight how important it is to deliver technologies that improve accuracy, increase the safety distance for operators, and meet the evolving demands on the battlefield.” The STAG-5 was developed to support mission success by enabling forces to mark targets precisely and reliably within the framework of integrated fire support. In combination with modern electro-optical and infrared sensors on deployment platforms, the system enhances target detection and marking, confirmation of weapon effects, and mission monitoring from a safe distance.
DRS continues to work closely with customers, users, and industry partners to advance precision warfare solutions that meet the demands of modern armed forces. By participating in events like “Iron Sting,” the company demonstrates how scalable and ready-to-deploy technologies can help armed forces to “Own the Edge™” — through higher precision, improved survivability, and greater operational flexibility in contested environments.
Author: André Forkert, Army Editor
