M120 Rak

M120 Rak is a self-propelled wheeled gun-mortar equipped with an automatically loaded 120 mm mortar mounted on a tracked (SMG 120 / M120G[2]) and wheeled (SMK 120 / M120K[2]) chassis, designed by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW). It is produced in Poland, and used by Polish Land Forces. Serial production and the first delivery started in 2017.[3]

M120 Rak
Place of origin Poland
Service history
In service2017–present
Used byPolish Land Forces
Production history
Designed2008
ManufacturerHuta Stalowa Wola
Produced2016–present
No. built92/122 (M120K version)[1]
Specifications
Mass24,500 kg (54,000 lb)
Length7,700 mm (300 in)
Width2,800 mm (110 in)
Height2,150 mm (85 in) (hull)
Crew4
ArmorARMOX 500T 8 mm thickness, STANAG 4569A Level 1
Main
armament
120 mm mortar
Secondary
armament
1 × UKM-2000P
EngineScania D1 12 56A03PE
Operational
range
500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph)
A M120G Rak prototype, 2010
Wikimedia Commons has media related to HSW RAK 120 mm mortars.

History

Work on the Rak mortar started in 2006, the first prototypes were presented in 2009. Initially designed by HSW, later with co-financing from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Most of the mortar elements are produced in Poland. HSW has received several patents for the construction of individual mortar solutions.[4][5]

In April 2016, with the consortium of HSW and ROSOMAK S.A., a contract was signed for the supply of eight KMO Rak systems (64 M120K mortars and 32 artillery command vehicles (AWD)) in 2017–2019. In October 2019, another contract was signed for the supply of two KMO Rak systems (18 M120K mortars and 8 AWD) and two mortars for training at the Centrum Szkolenia Artylerii i Uzbrojenia (Artillery and Armament Training Center) in Toruń. In May 2020, the Inspektorat Uzbrojenia (Armaments Inspectorate) signed a contract with the consortium for the delivery of another 5 KMO Rak systems (40 RAK mortars and 20 AWD).[6][7][8]

Description

The Rak Mortar can be built on a variety of chassis. The tracked chassis version is based on the lightweight HSW tracked chassis (which was developed from the Opal APC), while the wheeled chassis is based on the Rosomak APC. In 2013, as part of the MSPO exhibition, the manufacturer presented the implementation of the mortar on the chassis of the German Marder infantry fighting vehicle. The fire set of the 120 mm self-propelled mortars, Rak, consists of eight cannons, used to throw mortar bombs at a distance.[9]

It can shoot accurately at distances from 8 to 12 km. In addition to standard bombs, it can fire shells with a HEAT charge, fighting armored vehicles, such as combat vehicles, smoke and lighting ammunition. The time to transition from march to the combat position is 30 seconds maximum. The combat position can be left within 15 seconds of the last grenade being fired.[9]

The complete Rak mortar system, apart from the latter, includes accompanying vehicles: artillery command vehicles (AWD), reconnaissance vehicles, technical and logistic support (ammunition) vehicles and armament repair vehicles (AWRU). The vehicle is equipped with a digital fire control system, including a thermal camera and a laser rangefinder, so it can work effectively during the day or night. The data may, inter alia, draw from the FlyEye unmanned aerial vehicle.[9][10]

The Rak mortar can fire remotely as an unmanned weapon, using commands and data transmitted electronically to the vehicle's computer. Initially, until the implementation of modern ammunition with a range of 10,000 m, Polish Rak mortars use old OF843B bombs for towed mortars, modernized with special fittings, with a weight of 16.02 kg and a range of 6,900 m, intended for training.[9][11]

Technical and tactical data[12]
  • Caliber – 120 mm
  • Number of barrels – 1
  • Ammunition capacity – 46 rounds[9]
  • Maximum range – 12,000 m
  • Time to be ready to fire – 30 s
  • Time to leave the firing position – 15 s

Operators

See also

References
  2. Huta Stalowa Wola. "Moździerze samobieżne 120 mm" (PDF).
  3. "Rak 120mm Self-Propelled Mortar System". Army Technology. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  4. "RAK – polskie działo światowej klasy". www.polska-zbrojna.pl. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  5. "120 mm Mortar Turret M120 – Effector". Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  6. "Polish Army Takes Delivery of the Rak Mortars – Defence24.com". www.defence24.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  7. "More Rak Mortars for the Polish Army – Defence24.com". www.defence24.com (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  8. Editorial, Defense Brief (2020-05-23). "Poland orders additional 40 RAK self-propelled mortar systems". Defense Brief. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  9. Reszczyński, Jerzy (12 July 2016). "Zabawa granatami s.4-12 number 07/2016". Raport – Wojsko Technika Obronność.
  10. "Poland orders support vehicles for Rak mortars". Janes.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  11. "Poland orders support vehicles for Rak mortars". Janes.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  12. "RAK 120mm 8x8 wheeled self-propelled mortar carrier armoured". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  13. Ratka, Damian (30 March 2023). "Polish Armed Forces Procure Artillery at HSW". defence24.com (in Polish). Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  14. Palowski, Jakub (25 July 2023). "We Know the Value of Polish Military Aid to Ukraine [EXCLUSIVE]". defence24.com (in Polish). Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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