In The Field: Enabling Operator Excellence at Iron Sting Event

August 27, 2026: PDW continues to demonstrate and refine its laser target designation (LTD) capabilities through continuous testing alongside military operators. During the recent Iron Sting Precision Mortar Test and Evaluation Event in support of USASOC, Special Operations Forces employed an LTD-equipped C100 to enable accurate strikes on targets more than 1.5 kilometers beyond the standard maximum range of a 120 mm non-rifled mortar. The event was hosted by Capability Development & Innovation (CD&I), formerly IWTSD, Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO). 

While the extended-range strike was a significant milestone, the ability to successfully repeat the performance on an adjacent target demonstrated the consistency and reliability required for operational employment. Iron Sting highlighted how the C100 integrates into modern fires workflows to enable precision targeting, increase operator standoff, and provide operators with greater effectiveness. 

Conducted at the White Sage Mortar Range in Dugway, Utah, Iron Sting evaluated the safety, accuracy, and extended range of next-generation precision mortar munitions while providing operators with hands-on training on new equipment. PDW worked closely with USASOC mission operators to provide organic precision fire support using the C100 equipped with a Leonardo DRS STAG-5 Laser Target Designator (LTD) payload. 

The C100’s LTD capabilities, combined with high-resolution EO/IR sensors, enable operators to designate targets, confirm strike effects, and immediately transition to aerial overwatch from a safer standoff distance. By integrating these capabilities into cross-domain fires operations, the C100 seeks to provide precision targeting, increased survivability, and multi-mission flexibility in a single platform. 

Advanced technology is only part of the equation. The true potential of these systems is unlocked by the operators who employ them in the field, continually testing their limits and providing feedback that drives continuous improvement. 

The achievement reflected the combination of deliberate joint mission planning, the expertise of USASOC operators, and PDW's years of operational flight experience. Events like Iron Sting demonstrate how close collaboration between operators and industry accelerates capability development, helping ensure new technologies continue to evolve alongside the needs of the modern battlefield.