In the Pacific Ocean, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment trained and conducted tactical scenarios and simulated combat operations using the 81 mm Scorpion Light mobile mortar system, manufactured by Global Military Products. The activity took place at Schofield Barracks as part of the Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 event and aimed to evaluate the system’s mobility, lethality, operator safety, and air transportability.
The TiC 2.0 event, held from October 20 to 25, offered soldiers the opportunity to test next-generation equipment in field scenarios. Without changes in training or operational concepts, participants were able to deploy, fire, and relocate more quickly; the Infantry Squad Vehicle – Utility (ISV-U) variant was capable of carrying the Scorpion Light and 72 mortar rounds.
“Our participation in TiC 2.0 highlighted the immense value the Scorpion Light brings to modern combat forces,” said James Knight, Senior Manager, Defense Systems and Energetics, Global Military Products. “The soldiers’ feedback was invaluable and further validated the system’s capability to provide fast, highly mobile, accurate, and survivable indirect fire. We are proud to be part of the Army’s mission to field the next generation of combat-effective equipment.”
The tactical scenarios included emplacement and displacement operations, during which the following features of the Scorpion Light stood out:
Rapid deployment and mobility: Mounted on the ISV-U, the system demonstrated the ability to deploy, fire, and relocate in under two minutes—a “shoot and scoot” capability designed to reduce exposure to counter-battery fire.
Automated fire control system: A digital fire control system enabled rapid aiming and reorientation with minimal crew input; it was used to engage multiple targets during simulated operations. The system can integrate with third-party fire controllers.
Expeditionary capability: The integrated Scorpion Light–ISV-U platform can be internally transported by a CH-47 Chinook, making it suitable for rapid deployment in remote or austere environments and for supporting light infantry formations.
Two Scorpion Light units will remain in Hawaii to participate in scheduled exercises of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) in early November; for this purpose, they are expected to be transported by C-17 for air insertion and employed in several days of combat scenarios.
Direct feedback collected from soldiers during TiC 2.0 will form part of the Army’s modernization process and will help inform future improvements and guide acquisition decisions regarding mobile mortar systems.
The evaluation in Hawaii adds to other recent tests in the U.S., including a live-fire demonstration with the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico Base. Likewise, a version of the same system has seen operational use in Ukraine. The modular design and performance of the Scorpion have been cited by manufacturers and allied forces interested in mobile fire support solutions.
*Cover image: Oct. 21, 2025–Schofield Barracks–Two Scorpion Lightmobile mortarsystems will stay in Hawaii to take partin planned Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) training exercises in early November wherethe system will be transported via C-17 for air insertion to participate in multiple days of combat scenarios.
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