U.S. special ops test drone laser for longer mortar shots

A Performance Drone Works C100 carrying Leonardo DRS's STAG-5 electro-optical/infrared gimbal and laser designator supported extended-range precision mortar engagements at Dugway, Utah. The Iron Sting Precision Mortar Validation Event evaluated safety, accuracy and range while giving operators experience with emerging equipment for US Army Special Operations Command. According to DRS, repeated engagements exceeded the standard maximum range of a 120 mm non-rifled mortar, using the airborne sensor to designate targets. The demonstration links a small drone's reconnaissance and laser-targeting capability with guided indirect fires, but no exact engagement distance or quantitative accuracy result was published.