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The M120 mortar is a 120 mm mortar that was developed by Soltam Systems of Israel. It is the latest development of the M-65 mortar and has replaced the 107-millimetre (4.2 in) M30 in United States Army infantry and armor units. 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.
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| 120mm Mortar in Action |
Design overview
The M120 fires fin-stabilized ammunition 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. The M120 is transported on the M1100 Trailer by the M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).
Specifications
| Maximum Range: | 7,240 metres (23,750 ft) |
| Minimum Range: | 200 metres (660 ft) |
| Weight: | 144.7 kilograms (319 lb) without ammunition |
| 326.1 kilograms (719 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 / 50 kilograms)
- M190 Bipod Assembly (70 pounds / 32 kilograms)
- M9 Baseplate (136 pounds / 62 kilograms)
- M1100 Trailer (399 pounds / 181 kilograms)
- M67 Sight Unit (2.5 pounds / 1.1 kilograms)
The M120 is capable of firing the following munitions:
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