TEL AVIV — An advanced mortar is set for deployment by the U.S. military in Afghanistan.   

The mortar has also been offered to the Israel Army as part of IMI's program to develop technology for ground forces. Executives said IMI expected to supply Israeli ground force units with the advanced shell, which has undergone trials.

The IMI weapon has been part of the Guided Accuracy system, said to have a circle error of probability of 10 meters. In August 2009, the shell was tested by the U.S. military in trials that took place in high altitude and extreme heat. The mortar was said to have struck targets in seven out of eight firings.

"This is the only mortar shell worldwide that reaches such high accuracy," Peterson said. "The mortar shell has the ability to cope in an advanced way with wind and stormy weather in the mountains."

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