US Army successfully drops standard mortar from moving drones with new kit

The US Army has developed a new kit that lets unmanned aerial systems (UAS) deploy standard mortar rounds.

Called the Munitions Air-dropped Lethal Effects Tool (MALET), the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center developed the system.

It is designed to convert existing 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds into drone-delivered munitions, reducing the need to procure specialized weapons for unmanned aircraft.

The technology could allow soldiers to make greater use of ammunition already available in their inventories.

Mortars take flight

The conversion kit allows conventional mortar rounds to be deployed from unmanned aerial systems (UAS), potentially expanding the range of weapons available to drone operators.

MALET was developed by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center. It is designed to adapt existing 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds for aerial deployment, allowing soldiers to use ammunition already available in military inventories rather than relying entirely on purpose-built drone munitions.

According to a statement, Work on MALET began in 2024 after specialists at the Armaments Center’s Fuze and Mortar Divisions identified an opportunity to adapt existing ammunition for unmanned aircraft. The team sought to develop a way to deploy conventional munitions from drones without requiring soldiers to carry out field modifications or manually remove existing safety mechanisms.

MALET is designed as a clip-on conversion kit that adds the fuze functionality and aerodynamic stability needed to release a mortar round from an unmanned aircraft. According to the Army, its integration process is non-destructive, meaning attaching the kit does not permanently alter the underlying munition. The conversion can also be reversed by removing the attachment, returning the mortar round to its original configuration. This allows soldiers to retain the option of using an unexpended round as conventional mortar ammunition if it is not dropped or mission requirements change.

The approach could offer military units greater flexibility in managing ammunition supplies, particularly when operating drones that require different payload configurations. Rather than maintaining separate inventories of conventional mortar ammunition and specialized aerial munitions, the system is intended to make existing rounds compatible with another delivery method. MALET architecture could also be applied to ammunition beyond the initial 60mm and 81mm mortar configurations.

The integrated product team is examining additional concepts, although Gorman described some of the possibilities as “unique” and said they remain largely close-held for now. Mortars were selected for the initial demonstration because the ammunition was relatively mature and aligned with the requirements of larger unmanned aerial systems.

Passes live tests

The Armaments Center has conducted test drops at multiple US Army facilities to evaluate MALET’s performance, including its fuze operation and safety features. The team recently completed a successful demonstration involving live 60mm mortar rounds. During the test, a drone released the munition while the aircraft was moving.

The mortar rounds oriented correctly after release and detonated within the intended target area, demonstrating the system’s ability to maintain the required flight characteristics and function after an aerial drop.

The testing represents an important step in assessing whether existing mortar ammunition can be adapted for unmanned delivery without compromising its original design and safety requirements.

The MALET team now plans to distribute the kits during major military exercises in the fall, allowing soldiers to handle and evaluate the system and provide feedback. The development effort has also involved discussions with industry partners, military users, and acquisition organizations.

The Armaments Center ultimately intends to validate the technology and transition it to industry partners and the Army‘s acquisition community. This approach is intended to support wider production and rapid fielding while allowing engineers to continue refining the system based on feedback from soldiers participating in tests and exercises.