[Spktyr]

About time, but wouldn't it just be cheaper to upgrade and redeploy these?

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m163.htm

[USNBandit]

The problem with a mortar defense system is that in this situation the weapon would have to be a laser. These bases are located in populated areas so the rounds from high speed guns would have to land somewhere.

We already can't use counter battery fire because the bad guys shoot from civilian areas. The MO is for the terrorists to setup a mortar tube in civilian areas, shoot a few rounds and run leaving the tube in the middle of the street. They know troops are on the way as soon as they shoot.