M120 120 mm mortar
Encyclopedia
The Soltam K6 is a 120 mm mortar
that was developed by Soltam Systems of Israel
. It is the long-range version of the Soltam K5 and has replaced older systems such as the 107 millimetres (4.2 in) M30
in several armies including the United States Army
. It is much lighter than the M30, has a greater range, and can sustain a rate of fire of four rounds per minute while the M30 could sustain only three.
The MN-9 is a Slovenian licence version of the K6. D.I.O. from Iran produces the Hadid HM16 which appears to be a copy of the K6.
from a smoothbore
. Unlike its smaller ammunition cousins, the 81 mm and 60 mm mortars, the fin blades of the ammunition fired from the M120 are not canted. Thus, no spin is imparted to the projectile
in flight. Although heavy mortars require trucks or tracked mortar carriers to move them, they are still much lighter than field artillery
pieces. They outrange light and medium mortars, and their explosive power is much greater. An improved version is known as K6A3.
in 1991 as the M120 Mortar System. Its mission is to provide heavy weapon, high-angle organic indirect fire
support to the unit commander. The M120 is used by both mechanized units
and light infantry
in certain situations. Another feature of the M120 is the M303 Sub-Caliber insert. This allows for the capability of firing 81 mm ammunition.
The M120 is transported on the M1100 Trailer by the M998 Humvee. The version that is mounted on the M1064
and M1129
mortar carriers is known as the M121.
In 2007, the US Army ordered 588 M326 MSS (Mortar Stowage Systems) from BAE Systems. Here, the assembled mortar is mounted on a truck, HMMWV or M1101 trailer and can be mounted and dismounted in less than 20 seconds.
The M120 Mortar System consists of the following major components:
The M120 is capable of firing the following munitions:
: Brazilian Marine Corps
: Armed Forces of Denmark as M/10: Egyptian Army
: Iraqi Army
- 565 ordered: Israel Defence Forces: Mexican Army
: Royal Moroccan Army
: National Guard (Nicaragua)
(1976-1979): Republic of China Military Police
: Slovenian Army as MN-9: Sri Lankan Army
: United States Army
as M120 and M121: South African National Defence Force
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
that was developed by Soltam Systems of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. It is the long-range version of the Soltam K5 and has replaced older systems such as the 107 millimetres (4.2 in) M30
M30 107 mm Mortar
The M30 107 mm heavy mortar is an American rifled, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for long-range indirect fire support to infantry units.-Design:...
in several armies including the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. It is much lighter than the M30, has a greater range, and can sustain a rate of fire of four rounds per minute while the M30 could sustain only three.
The MN-9 is a Slovenian licence version of the K6. D.I.O. from Iran produces the Hadid HM16 which appears to be a copy of the K6.
Design overview
The K6 fires fin-stabilized ammunitionAmmunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
from a smoothbore
Smoothbore
A smoothbore weapon is one which has a barrel without rifling. Smoothbores range from handheld firearms to powerful tank guns and large artillery mortars.-History of firearms and rifling:...
. Unlike its smaller ammunition cousins, the 81 mm and 60 mm mortars, the fin blades of the ammunition fired from the M120 are not canted. Thus, no spin is imparted to the projectile
Projectile
A projectile is any object projected into space by the exertion of a force. Although a thrown baseball is technically a projectile too, the term more commonly refers to a weapon....
in flight. Although heavy mortars require trucks or tracked mortar carriers to move them, they are still much lighter than field artillery
Field artillery
Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, long range, short range and extremely long range target engagement....
pieces. They outrange light and medium mortars, and their explosive power is much greater. An improved version is known as K6A3.
Deployment
The K6 entered service with the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1991 as the M120 Mortar System. Its mission is to provide heavy weapon, high-angle organic indirect fire
Indirect fire
Indirect fire means aiming and firing a projectile in a high trajectory without relying on a direct line of sight between the gun and its target, as in the case of direct fire...
support to the unit commander. The M120 is used by both mechanized units
Armoured warfare
Armoured warfare or tank warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of war....
and light infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
in certain situations. Another feature of the M120 is the M303 Sub-Caliber insert. This allows for the capability of firing 81 mm ammunition.
The M120 is transported on the M1100 Trailer by the M998 Humvee. The version that is mounted on the M1064
M1064 mortar carrier
The M1064 mortar carrier is a tracked, self-propelled artillery vehicle, consisting of the M120 mortar mounted on a M113 chassis.The design consists of the M298 Cannon, M191 Bipod, M9 Baseplate, and the Carrier Adaption Kit...
and M1129
M1129 Mortar Carrier
The M1129 Mortar Carrier, is a 8×8 wheeled armored mortar carrier of the Stryker family of combat vehicles produced by General Dynamics Land Systems...
mortar carriers is known as the M121.
In 2007, the US Army ordered 588 M326 MSS (Mortar Stowage Systems) from BAE Systems. Here, the assembled mortar is mounted on a truck, HMMWV or M1101 trailer and can be mounted and dismounted in less than 20 seconds.
Specifications
| Maximum Range: | 7240 metres (23,753.3 ft) |
| Minimum Range: | 200 metres (656.2 ft) |
| Weight: | 144.7 kilograms (319 lb) without ammunition |
| 326.1 kilograms (718.9 lb) when mounted on trailer | |
| Rate of Fire: | 16 rounds/min first minute, 4 rounds/min sustained |
| Crew: | 5 |
The M120 Mortar System consists of the following major components:
- M298 Cannon Assembly (110 pounds (49.9 kg))
- M190 Bipod Assembly (70 pounds (31.8 kg))
- M9 Baseplate (136 pounds (61.7 kg))
- M1100 Trailer (399 pounds (181 kg))
- M67 Sight Unit (2.5 pounds (1.1 kg))
The M120 is capable of firing the following munitions:
- M929 Smoke CartridgeSmoke bombA smoke bomb is a firework designed to produce smoke upon ignition. Smoke bombs are useful to military units, airsoft games, paintball games, self defense and pranks...
- XM930 Illumination Round
- XM930E1 Illumination Round
- XM931 Practice Round
- M933 High Explosive Round
- M934 High Explosive Round
- M934A1 High Explosive Round
- XM983 Illumination Round
Users
: Armed Forces of ArmeniaArmed Forces of Armenia
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia comprise two services: the Army, and the Air Force and Air Defense . It was partially formed out of the former Soviet Army forces stationed in the Armenian SSR...
: Brazilian Marine Corps
Brazilian Marine Corps
The Brazilian Marine Corps is the land combat branch of the Brazilian Navy.- Mission :...
: Armed Forces of Denmark as M/10: Egyptian Army
Egyptian Army
The Egyptian Army is the largest service branch within the Egyptian Armed Forces and holds power in the current Egyptian government. It is estimated to number around 379,000, in addition to 479,000 reservists for a total of 858,000 strong. The modern army was created in the 1820s, and during the...
: Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
- 565 ordered: Israel Defence Forces: Mexican Army
Mexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
: Royal Moroccan Army
Royal Moroccan Army
The Royal Armed Forces is the terrestrial arm of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is a part of one of the oldest monarchies in history. The Alaouite Dynasty is the name of the current Moroccan royal family. The name Alaouite comes from the ‘Alī of...
: National Guard (Nicaragua)
National Guard (Nicaragua)
In Nicaragua, the National Guard was a militia and a gendarmerie created during the occupation of that country by the United States from 1909 to 1933. It became notorious for human rights abuses and corruption under the regime of the Somoza family.-Creation:...
(1976-1979): Republic of China Military Police
Republic of China Military Police
The Republic of China Military Police is a military police body under the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China . Unlike military police in many other countries, ROCMP is a separate branch of the ROC Armed Forces.-Warlords Era:...
: Slovenian Army as MN-9: Sri Lankan Army
Sri Lankan Army
The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and is responsible for land-based military and humanitarian operations. Established as the Ceylon Army in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972...
: United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
as M120 and M121: South African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
See also
- CardomCardomThe Cardom , is a Soltam Systems 120mm Recoil Mortar System , used by the US army, the Israeli Defence Force, NATO countries, and others. The Cardom is an autonomous, computerized system for mounting on light and medium armored carriers...
120 mm recoil mortar system - M1064 mortar carrierM1064 mortar carrierThe M1064 mortar carrier is a tracked, self-propelled artillery vehicle, consisting of the M120 mortar mounted on a M113 chassis.The design consists of the M298 Cannon, M191 Bipod, M9 Baseplate, and the Carrier Adaption Kit...
- M113 series vehicle fitted with M121 120 mm mortar - M1129 Mortar CarrierM1129 Mortar CarrierThe M1129 Mortar Carrier, is a 8×8 wheeled armored mortar carrier of the Stryker family of combat vehicles produced by General Dynamics Land Systems...
- Stryker series vehicle fitted with M121 120 mm mortar - Soltam M-65 120 mm mortar
- M327Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1The MO-120 RT-61 or MO-120-RT is a heavy mortar of French origin. It was designed by Thomson-Brandt as the successor for the MO-120 AM-50...
- 120mm towed mortar used the USMC - List of U.S. military vehicles by model number