The article focuses on the evaluation of turreted and non-turreted self-propelled mortar systems, examining their respective advantages and disadvantages in operational deployment. The study aims to identify promising mortar platforms suitable for future acquisition by the Czech Armed Forces (CAF). Key assessment criteria – capturing the essential capabilities and characteristics of these systems – were defined based on expert input from specialists in artillery employment. Using mathematical methods of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), the most appropriate mortar types were selected and subsequently tested and compared within the MASA SWORD constructive simulation environment developed by MASA Group. The simulations aimed to determine how technical and operational differences translate into battlefield performance and overall effectiveness within CAF artillery operations. The outcomes of this analysis provide a data-informed foundation for future procurement decisions regarding mortar units in the CAF, with potential applicability for allied armed forces.
ŽilinčíkSPiknerIStaněkJ.Character of war: how to understand it?Oas2023; 23: 109–125.
2.
DrábekJPotužákLHavlíkT, et al. Practical evaluation of instruments for determining the exact position during artillery operations of the Czech Artillery. CNDCGS. Epub ahead of print 7 November 2024. DOI: 10.3849/cndcgs.2024.45.
3.
HorakLDrmotovaKStodolaP, et al. Building the “Russieafrique“: Russian influence operations changing the geopolitics in the Sahel. SRSA. Epub ahead of print 27 August 2024. DOI: 10.35293/srsa.v46i1.5077.
4.
BlahaMŠilingerKPotužákL.Linear and angular issues in perspective artillery fire control system. MATEC Web Conf2018; 210: 02055.
5.
RolenecOŠilingerKŽižkaP, et al. Supporting the decision-making process in the planning and controlling of engineer task teams to support mobility in a combat operation. Int J Educ Inform Technol2019; 2019: 33–40.
6.
SýkoraFRolenecOKroupaL.The charges that can be used for explosive breaching into urban structures within the engineer mobility support in an urbanized environment. In: 2023 international conference on military technologies (ICMT), Brno, 23–26 May, pp. 1–6. New York: IEEE.
7.
DrábekJŠustrMPotužákL, et al. Contingency and emergency manual procedures for calculation firing data using direction and distance coefficients. Eng Rep2025; 7: e70252.
8.
IvanJBlahaMŠustrM, et al. Evaluation of possible approaches to meteorological techniques of artillery manual gunnery after the adoption of automated fire control system. VR2021; 30: 75–96.
ChangYKeblisMFLiR, et al. Misinformation and disinformation in modern warfare. Operat Res2022; 70: 1577–1597.
11.
DrozdJProcházkaJ.Weapon system acquisition process utilizing design simulation as decision support. VR2024; 33: 37–50.
12.
ŚwiętochowskiN.Field artillery in the defensive war of Ukraine 2022–2023. Part II. Methods of task implementation. SJMULF2024; 211: 57–76.
13.
DrozdJNeubauerJSekaninaJ, et al. Bridging the gap: aligning physical work capacity testing with actual endurance performance in military settings. Front Psychol2025; 16: 1536197.
14.
HasilováKOtřísalPStodolaP.Smoothing methods for continuous permeation data measured discretely designated for quick evaluation of barrier materials. Aimt2023; 18: 207–223.
15.
OulehlovaAKudlakAUrbanR, et al. Competitiveness of the regions in the Czech Republic from the perspective of disaster risk financing. JOC2021; 13: 115–131.
16.
ŠloufVBlahaMPekařO, et al. An alternative model for determining the rational amount of funds allocated to defence of the Czech Republic in conditions of expected risk. Oas2023; 23: 149–172.
17.
PekařOŠloufVBlahaM, et al. Redefining defence expenditures in B9 countries: a risk-based model for rational allocation under foreign threat scenarios. Oas2025; 25: 71–112.
18.
WezemanPDKuimovaAWezemanST.Trends in international arms transfers, 2021. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Epub ahead of print 14 March 2022. DOI: 10.55163/CBZJ9986.
19.
BakoM.Zbraně pozemních vojsk v rusko-ukrajinské válce. Vydání první. Praha: Práh, 2023.
20.
Majchút I. Contemporary civil-military relations. CNDCGS. Epub ahead of print 7 November 2024. DOI: 10.3849/cndcgs.2024.124.
21.
PrezeljIHarangozoD.Confidence and security-building measures in Europe at a crossroads. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG. Epub ahead of print 2018. DOI: 10.5771/9783845288970.
22.
HrnčiarMKompanJ.Factors shaping the employment of military force from the perspective of the war in Ukraine. VR2023; 32: 69–82.
23.
OrłowskiMRogalaASweklejP, et al. Analysis of the influence of heat and mechanical treatment on the fragmentation of 120 mm high-explosive mortar shells. Part I – characteristics of selected 120 mm mortar shells. PTU2024; 169: 7–27.
24.
KlimaMBuresMBlahaM.Ant colony optimization based algorithm for test path generation problem with negative constraints. In: 2024 IEEE 24th international conference on software quality, reliability and security (QRS), Cambridge, 1–5 July 2024, pp. 701–712. New York: IEEE.
25.
BiggsATHirschDA.Using Monte Carlo simulations to translate military and law enforcement training results to operational metrics. J Defense Model Simul2022; 19: 403–415.
26.
KoreckiZHoikaTUlvrJ, et al. Simulation of the attack helicopter Mil Mi-24 conducting anti-surface air operations in support of a battalion task group. J Defense Model Simul2024; 21: 245–258.
27.
ŠustrMPotužákLBlahaM, et al. Multiple round simultaneous impact fires and possibilities of its application in Czech Army. Vojenske Rozhledy: Czech Military Review2020; 29: 84–93.
28.
ŠustrMVajdaMBlahaM, et al. Artillery officer education and the interoperability challenge in Joint fires: a Czech–Slovak comparison. Cogent Educ2025; 12: 2533308.
29.
IvanJNiesnerKBBlahaM, et al. Environmental risk assessment of artillery-impacted soils contaminated by heavy metals using pollution indices. Manag Environ Qual: Int J. Epub ahead of print 25 February 2026. DOI:10.1108/MEQ-06-2025-0420.
30.
FotrJ.Manažerské rozhodování: postupy, metody a nástroje. Vyd. 1. Praha: Ekopress, 2006.
31.
HavlíkTŠustrMIvanJ, et al. Evaluation of the effectiveness of a firing battery in self-defense and protection in the area of firing positions using constructive simulation. J Defense Model Simul2024. Epub ahead of print 9 November. DOI: 10.1177/15485129241291579.
32.
MachOUlvrJRackovaP, et al. Multicriterial analysis and comparison of air-to-air fighter jets. CNDCGS. Epub ahead of print 7 November 2024. DOI: 10.3849/cndcgs.2024.411.
33.
TaherdoostH.Analysis of simple additive weighting method (SAW) as a multi-attribute decision-making technique: a step-by-step guide. J Manag Sci Eng Res2023; 6: 21–24.
MansikkaHVirtanenKHarrisD, et al. Live–virtual–constructive simulation for testing and evaluation of air combat tactics, techniques, and procedures, part 1: assessment framework. J Defense Model Simul2021; 18: 285–293.
36.
RakLNeubauerJHrdinkaJ, et al. Simulation technology in the training application of Cadets. AD ALTA: J Interdiscip Res2023; 13: 345–349.
37.
PalasiewiczTRolenecOLacinováV, et al. A simulation-based analysis for optimal placement of anti-tank obstacles in armored warfare. J Defense Model Simul. Epub ahead of print 15 May 2025. DOI: 10.1177/15485129251339485.
38.
MacúchováKMacúchJKrblichJ.AI bridge between art and science. In: CioboatăDD (ed.) International conference on reliable systems engineering (ICoRSE) – 2024. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 123–139.
39.
MackůKCahaJPásztoV, et al. Subjective or objective? How objective measures relate to subjective life satisfaction in Europe. IJGI2020; 9: 320.
40.
RolenecOMaňasPPalasiewiczT.Characteristics of forcible entries into objects and an experimental assessment of the potential impact of fragments scattering on training safety when using fence charge. VR2024; 33: 147–166.
41.
NěmecPStodolaPPecinaM, et al. Optimization of the weighted multi-facility location problem using MS Excel. Algorithms2021; 14: 191.
42.
DrozdJRakLZahradníčekP, et al. Effectiveness evaluation of aerial reconnaissance in battalion force protection operation using the constructive simulation. J Defense Model Simul2023; 20: 181–196.
43.
FialkovaZHauschwitzPFlimelovaM, et al. Periodic nanogrooves from an unlikely source: nanosecond laser processing on a budget. Mater Res Express2025; 12: 105005.
44.
KřepelkaJSchovánekPTučekP, et al. Optimization of component assembly in automotive industry. Meas Sci Rev2024; 24: 36–41.
45.
ThawaniBLimSKBrownL, et al. Design of multi-layered protection against guided mortar threats through numerical modeling. Defence Technol2023; 29: 55–65.
46.
BlahaMVarechaJDrábekJ, et al. Comparison of AI speech-to-text systems and their application in artillery command and fire control systems. In: HadjaliAMaioranaEGusikhinO, et al. (eds) Deep learning theory and applications. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 82–95.
47.
ZahradníčekPBotíkMRakL, et al. Modern battlefield and necessary reflection in military leader’s education and training. VR2023; 32: 110–122.
48.
SobotkaJBendaMCoufalD, et al. The point cloud in the design of temporary bridges. In: 2025 international conference on military technologies (ICMT), Brno, 27–30 May, pp. 1–4. New York: IEEE.
49.
PekařOŠloufVŠotnarJ, et al. War game as a method of training, as a method of analysis. ECGBL2022; 16: 651–654.
50.
RakLHrnčiarMHrdinkaJ, et al. Effective simulation systems and simulation entities for training modern military tactics. J Defense Model Simul. Epub ahead of print 30 September 2025. DOI: 10.1177/15485129251375999.
51.
IvanJŠustrMGregorJ, et al. Advancing soil sampling techniques for environmental assessment of artillery impact zones. J Ecol Eng2025; 26: 1–14.
52.
KlimaMBuresMAhmedBS, et al. Genetic algorithm for path-based testing of component outage situations in IoT system processes. Appl Soft Comput2025; 185: 113854.
ŚwiętochowskiNVarechaJKorecD, et al. Immersive training of artillery observers with integrated artificial intelligence. In: Krems JF, da Silva HP and CipressoP (eds) Computer-human interaction research and applications. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 287–300.
55.
MengFLiYShaoF, et al. Visual-simulation region proposal and generative adversarial network based ground military target recognition. Defence Technol2022; 18: 2083–2096.
56.
NovákJPotužákLBlahaM, et al. The impact of the deteriorated political and security situation on the financial stability of arms companies operating in an oligopolistic market environment. CNDCGS. Epub ahead of print 7 November 2024. DOI: 10.3849/cndcgs.2024.500.
57.
TarrafDCGilmoreJMBarnettDS, et al. An experiment in tactical wargaming with platforms enabled by artificial intelligence. J Defense Model Simul2025; 22: 59–76.
58.
NemaJBuresMNovákJ, et al. Using data from wearable electronics in the military environment – security, privacy, and software development style discussion. In: 2025 IEEE international conference on digital health (ICDH), Helsinki, pp. 138–141. New York: IEEE.
59.
VarechaJMajchútI.Modelling of artillery fire and simulation of its efficiency. Int Conf Knowl-Based Organ2019; 25: 174–180.
60.
DrozdJProcházkaJ.Constructive simmulation: an effective tool for an assessment of the operational effectiveness within the cability planning process. VR2022; 31: 54–70.
61.
HujerVŠloufVFarlikJ.Utility as a key criterion of a decision-making on structure of the ground based air defence. In: MazalJFagioliniAVašíkP, et al. (eds) Modelling and simulation for autonomous systems. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 249–260.
62.
SládekDŠustrMIvanJ, et al. Building meteorological backup artillery products: leveraging upper air data. VR2025; 34: 136–158.
63.
ŠvehlíkMSedláčekMHasilováK, et al. Applications in engineer and artillery support: mathematical modeling of symphatetic detonation. CNDCGS. Epub ahead of print 7 November 2024. DOI: 10.3849/cndcgs.2024.634.
64.
StodolaPDrozdJMazalJ, et al. Cooperative unmanned aerial system reconnaissance in a complex urban environment and uneven terrain. Sensors2019; 19: 3754.
65.
FarlikJKratkyMCasarJ, et al. Multispectral detection of commercial unmanned aerial vehicles. Sensors2019; 19: 1517.
66.
PemcakIBalážTJasztalM, et al. Theoretical vulnerability analysis of individual components of class I – micro drone against small arms fire. Probl Mech Armam Aviat Safe Eng2024; 15: 9–26.
67.
ŠvehlíkMŠustrMPotužákL, et al. Creating of minefield breaches with artillery. In: Proceedings of the 20th international conference on informatics in control, automation and robotics. Rome: SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, pp. 266–272.
68.
RacekFBalážTKrejcíJ.Evaluation of target acquisition performance in photosimulation test. In: SteinKUSchleijpenR (eds) Target and background signatures V. Strasbourg: SPIE, p. 24.
69.
SvobodováADohnalFPekařO, et al. Using fusion of digital elevation models for artillery crest clearance determination: a study from the Czech Republic. In: 2025 international conference on military technologies (ICMT), Brno, 27–30 May, pp. 1–8. New York: IEEE.
70.
NeubauerJVlkovskyMMichalekJ.Statistical modeling of cargo securing on selected military trucks and road surfaces. J Defense Model Simul2024; 21: 341–355.
71.
NohelJStodolaPFlasarZ, et al. Swarm maneuver of combat UGVs on the future digital battlefield. In: MazalJFagioliniAVašíkP, et al. (eds) Modelling and simulation for autonomous systems. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 209–230.
72.
BlahaMPotužákLŠustrM, et al. Simplification options for more efficient using of angular and linear measuring rules for fire control. Int J Educ Inform Technol2021; 15: 28–34.
73.
PalasiewiczTRolenecOKroupaL, et al. Blast-induced deformations of the building entrance part caused by improvised shaped charges. In: MazalJFagioliniAVašíkP, et al. (eds) Modelling and simulation for autonomous systems. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 109–130.
74.
KorecDBlahaMBartaJ, et al. Innovative approaches to the use of artillery in wildfire suppression. Fire2025; 8: 232.
75.
PemcakINovackovaKKrejcíJ, et al. Probability of hitting the drone propeller by projectile. In: 2023 international conference on military technologies (ICMT), Brno, 23–26 May, pp. 1–6. New York: IEEE.
76.
PekařONovákJVarechaJ, et al. Bridging theory and practice in military education through advanced technologies. ECGBL2024; 18: 1056–1060.
77.
HolekTBuresMCernyT.Review of open software bug datasets. In: RochaAAdeliHDzemydaG, et al. (eds) Information systems and technologies. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 3–12.
78.
OdehnalJNeubauerJOlejníčekA, et al. Empirical analysis of military expenditures in NATO nations. Economies2021; 9: 107.
