PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — The ever-evolving unmanned aerial systems toolbox has grown even stronger with the introduction of the Munitions Air-dropped Lethal Effects Tool, or MALET, developed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center.
The MALET is a kit which converts munitions so that they can be dropped as part of unmanned aerial system deployment. Instead of having to procure purpose-built munitions on drones, Soldiers will be able to use rounds which they have in abundance already, such as 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds.
Work on MALET began in 2024 when experts at the DEVCOM Armaments Center’s Fuze and Mortar Divisions recognized a critical opportunity: rather than introducing new munitions to the battlefield, Soldiers could benefit from a capability to safely drop existing munitions without having to perform field modifications or manually remove safety mechanisms. The team saw the project through with input from the Energetics and Warheads Directorate.
The kit adds fuze function and ensures the aerodynamic stability required for a drone drop of the cartridge. Additionally, integrating MALET is a non-destructive process, so clipping on the kit does not compromise the mortar, nor does removing the kit. As such, if a munition is not expended or mission requirements change, the kit can be removed, returning the munition back to its original state and allowing it to be fired as a conventional mortar.
According to Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Indirect Fire Munitions Ryan Gorman, the MALET architecture can be applied to munitions beyond 60mm and 81mm mortars, and the MALET integrated product team is exploring even more concepts which, while mostly close-hold for now, Gorman referred to as “unique.” Mortars were the first to be demonstrated due to their maturity and alignment with large UAS requirements.
“The MALET program is a great example of how the DEVCOM Armaments Center can leverage core competencies like fuze design, safety, and ammunition development and apply them to a dynamic, emerging space like lethal UAS to provide a unique and viable option for the warfighter,” explained Gorman.
According to MALET Project Lead Brad Armstrong, test drops at multiple U.S. Army facilities have already shown the MALET’s effectiveness, successfully maturing both the system’s fuze function and its critical safety elements. The team just recently had a successful test where they demonstrated performance of MALET with live 60mm mortars. The items were dropped from a UAS on the move; they oriented correctly and detonated within the desired target area.
The MALET integrated product team’s intention is to distribute the kit to major military exercises in the fall to allow for Soldier touchpoint and receive feedback. Conversations with industry partners, the user and acquisition communities have already proven fruitful.
The Armaments Center’s efforts are meant to validate system capabilities and seamlessly transition the MALET to industry partners and the acquisition community. This strategy will allow the military to scale and field the system rapidly, while engineers at the Armaments Center continue to work on iterative improvements based on feedback from the warfighter at tests and exercises.
By Tyler Barth
