Soltam K6

The Soltam K6 is a 120 mm (4.75 inch) mortar that was developed by Soltam Systems of Israel. It is the long-range version of the Soltam K5[1] and has replaced older systems, such as the 107-millimetre (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.

Soltam K6 mortar
TypeMortar
Place of originIsrael
Service history
Used bySee below
Specifications
Mass144.7 kg (319 lb)
Crew5
Caliber120 millimetres (4.7 in)
Rate of fire16 RPM max, 4 RPM sustained
Effective firing range7,240 metres (7,920 yd)
Feed systemmanual

Design overview

The K6 fires fin-stabilized ammunition from a smoothbore barrel. 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 the K6A3.

High explosive rounds fired by the M120 weigh about 31 lb (14 kg) and can have a lethality radius of 225 ft (69 m).[2]

History and deployment
M934A1 high explosive round with propellant rings

The K6 entered service with the United States Army 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, which allows the mortar to fire 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 U.S. Army ordered 588 M326 MSS (Mortar Stowage Systems) from BAE Systems. Here, the assembled mortar is mounted on a truck, Humvee or M1101 trailer and can be mounted and dismounted in less than 20 seconds.[3]

In November 2016, Elbit Systems announced it was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract for the production of the M121[4]

Components

The M120 mortar system consists of the following major components:

  • M298 cannon assembly (110 pounds or 50 kilograms)
  • M190 bipod assembly (70 pounds or 32 kilograms)
  • M9 baseplate (136 pounds or 62 kilograms)
  • M1100 trailer (399 pounds or 181 kilograms)
  • M67 sight unit (2.5 pounds or 1.1 kilograms)

The M120 is capable of firing the following munitions:

Operators

See also

References
  1. "Soltam K5 and K6 120 mm light mortars (Israel), Mortars". Jane's. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  2. MAKING THE MORTAR SMARTER Archived 30 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine - Sofmag.com, 26 May 2015
  3. "BAEs M326 MSS: Mortar In, Mortar Out, Mortar On". Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  4. "Elbit Systems of America Receives U.S. Army Contract for Mortar Weapon Systems" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  5. 120mm Mortar Smoke Cartridge http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm Archived 7 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8.
  7. "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
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