A new version of the self-propelled mortar M120G Rak (Poland)

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General view of the M120G armored vehicle on the updated LPG chassis

The Polish company Huta Stalowa Wolya SA (HSW), part of the state-owned holding Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), continues the development of the M120 Rak self-propelled mortar. Recently, another version of such a combat vehicle was created and tested, made on a modernized LPG chassis. The prototype was shown at the MSPO-2021 exhibition, and in the near future it will go to one of the army organizations for study and development.

On different chassis


The Rak project has been developed by HSW since 2006 by order of the Polish Ministry of Defense. Its purpose was to create a combat module in the form of a manned turret with a 120-mm mortar and other equipment compatible with various carriers. The main design work was completed in 2009 and the first prototype was presented shortly thereafter. In the future, other prototypes of a different configuration were built, incl. on other chassis.



The first prototype of a self-propelled mortar, designated as SMG or M120G (G - gąsienica, track), was made on the chassis of the 2S1 "Gvozdika" self-propelled guns of Soviet design and Polish construction. In fact, it was only about replacing the turret with a howitzer with a mortar module and some minor modifications to the chassis. Such a self-propelled mortar was tested, but was not recommended for adoption. However, later it was finalized and improved to gain experience.


In 2011, they presented an experimental product SMK or M120K (K - koło, wheel). The base for it was a four-axle Rosomak armored personnel carrier - a licensed version of the Finnish Patria AMV. The combat module has been improved, but has not undergone fundamental changes. Together with the combat vehicle, they developed an AWD platoon command post at the same base.

Two years later, another version of the self-propelled mortar was shown, this time on the chassis of the German BMP Marder. This project did not receive further development, and HSW went back to improving the Carnation chassis.

In 2016, HSW and Rosomak SA received their first order for the serial production of self-propelled wheeled mortars. He envisioned the delivery of 64 M120K Rak machines and 32 AWD products. Deliveries started in 2017. new contracts appeared for the production of additional batches of equipment. Its production continues to this day and in the future should cover all the needs of the army. In total, Poland plans to deploy approx. 2019 batteries on "Cancers", for which she needs 20 production vehicles.

New chassis


Based on the results of the first M120G project, the customer and HSW continued to develop the tracked mortar, but decided to use a different chassis. Already in 2012, a prototype was built on the modified Carnation hull. Its design was changed using the solutions and components of the LPG project (Lekkie Podwozie Gąsienicowe) of Polish design.


Subsequently, the combat module was finally transferred to the LPG chassis. At the same time, the improvement of the machine continued. Not so long ago, another version of the chassis and a combat vehicle based on it was created. In parallel, two more models for mortar workers are being developed on the same base. This is a mobile command post of the serial AWD type and an artillery reconnaissance vehicle. The timing of the appearance of such a technique has not yet been named.

In April 2021, the prototype of the latest version was handed over to the Artillery and Weapons Training Center. Bema (Torun) to study and conduct a new stage of inspections. Based on the results of these measures, the issue of adopting the mortar into service will be finally decided. There are positive forecasts in this regard.

The process of mastering "Cancer" at the training center was briefly interrupted. On September 7, the military-technical exhibition MSPO-2021 opened in Kielce, and an experienced self-propelled mortar became one of its main exhibits. During the exhibition, the official presentation of the machine took place.

Technical features


Another modification of the LPG chassis has become the new carrier of the universal combat module. This machine is offered as a basis for various equipment, incl. self-propelled mortars. During its creation, the experience of construction and operation of old samples, such as 2S1, MT-LB, etc. was used. At the same time, the modern modification of the chassis has minimal continuity with Soviet technology.


Side view. Noticeably increased distance between rollers

The LPG chassis in the version for the M120G is built on the basis of an armored hull with level 1 protection according to STANAG 4569. The front-engine layout is preserved; the aft compartment is completely given over to the fighting compartment. It contains turret units of the combat module and additional stowage of ammunition.

LPG is equipped with a 350 hp MTU diesel engine. and automatic transmission. As part of the latest work, the chassis was rebuilt. The chassis has lost the seventh pair of road wheels with an increase in the gaps between the remaining ones. The torsion bar suspension was replaced with an imported hydropneumatic suspension, corresponding to the increased loads.

A standard M120 combat module is mounted on the LPG roof. This is a welded turret made of bulletproof armor, containing weapons, loading and control equipment, as well as crew seats. Apparently, the combat module for the new project was not finalized.


Serial self-propelled mortars M120K in the army

The basic one weapons The M120G remains a MAHSW 120mm breech-loading smoothbore mortar mounted on a swinging part with recoil devices. Shooting is provided with direct fire and on hinged trajectories. In the aft recess of the turret there is an automatic loader with revolver stacks for 20 rounds. The rest of the ammunition is placed in the stowage of the carrier chassis. Depending on the available volumes, you can place at least 23-25 ​​minutes.

The M120G is equipped with a digital automated fire control system developed by several Polish companies. It provides input and reception of data, has satellite navigation facilities and a ballistic computer. The LMS also controls the targeting and firing actuators. Preparation for shooting requires approx. 30 sec. after stopping at position.

The MAHSW mortar can use 120mm mines of various types. When firing with conventional ammunition, a range of up to 7 km is achieved. New generation shots with a range of 10-12 km are being developed. For direct fire, special shaped-charge projectiles can be used. Rate of fire - up to 7-8 rds / min.

Project Perspectives


The Polish army is already receiving serial self-propelled mortars M120K Rak on the Rosomak wheeled chassis. Several batteries have been formed and are in service as part of larger motorized infantry formations. The pace of production of such equipment is still limited, but with them it is planned to carry out the desired rearmament and create the required number of platoons and batteries in several years.


The new tracked self-propelled mortar M120G on the LPG chassis has successfully passed the factory tests and is now being mastered by the gunners of the leading training center. This indicates that in the very near future such a machine will be adopted and put into production. However, the timing of such a decision is not yet known.

Apparently, the tracked vehicle M120G can be produced in parallel with the wheeled M120G, and they will be simultaneously operated in different motorized rifle units. A mixed fleet of such equipment will allow the Polish army to get all the advantages provided by a unified combat module and two types of chassis. Mortar batteries will show the necessary mobility and mobility, and will also be able to work effectively on different landscapes.

The updated "Cancer" is made on the LPG chassis, which is also proposed to be used in the development of the fleet of armored vehicles. This vehicle is used in the projects of the command post vehicle, artillery command post, etc. As a result, it becomes possible to unify a wider range of ground forces equipment with the help of a modern chassis, obtaining well-known advantages.


However, the real prospects of the new model are determined not only by technical and operational features. The further fate of the tracked M120G depends on the plans and capabilities of the military department. The army has not yet clarified its opinion on the new HSW project - although the transfer of an experienced armored vehicle to the Training Center serves as a transparent hint.

Abilities and capabilities


Thus, Poland again demonstrates its desire to create its own military equipment with high performance, and also confirms its ability to solve such problems. Another result of such processes was the recent presentation of the M120G Rak combat vehicle at the MSPO-2021 exhibition.

Whether it will be possible to bring the tracked "Cancer" to series and operation in the army is not yet entirely clear. However, manufacturers may well expect to receive a lucrative order. Plans to build 180 self-propelled mortars are far from complete, and the new M120G will still have time to find its place in them. If, of course, the command considers such equipment necessary and finds the necessary funding.
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39 comments
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  1. +6
    10 September 2021 18: 06
    And when the staff captain Gobyato came up with the mortar as an INEXPENSIVE alternative to trench artillery.
    1. +5
      10 September 2021 18: 13
      Tell the Swedes ...
    2. +8
      10 September 2021 18: 22
      Headquarters Captain Gobyato and Warrant Officer Sergei Nikolaevich Vlasyev. In recent years, it has become somehow unfashionable to remember that the first Russian mortar had two "fathers".
    3. 0
      11 September 2021 08: 51
      When Gobyato was developing the mortar, he did not know about such an exciting activity as "cutting the budget"))))
  2. +3
    10 September 2021 18: 38
    What is not done with MT-LB (including army craftsmen) in different countries.
    Once I took up this issue, I counted more than 80 use cases. And I gave up.
    1. 0
      14 September 2021 22: 31
      here I am looking at the "Carnation" looks like ...
  3. 0
    10 September 2021 19: 16
    read an article about this mortar about a week ago on another site. Moreover, Ryabov's article does not indicate that this mortar can strike at one place with several mines, changing the angle of inclination (all mines arrive at the same time).
    1. -3
      10 September 2021 19: 26
      A multi-barrel mortar?
      How is it ALL mines at the same time ???
      If it takes time to reload and change the barrel elevation angle ???
      1. -1
        10 September 2021 19: 40
        Such funny questions. For new self-propelled guns and self-propelled mortars, this is a standard feature since the 90s. They stop writing about this, as it goes without saying.
        1. -2
          10 September 2021 19: 51
          You dear do not write nonsense.
          Time has not been canceled yet ...
          Any movement of the mechanism is TIME!
          1. +6
            10 September 2021 21: 25
            Everything is quite simple: the first shot is made with a reinforced charge with a large barrel elevation angle (the mine flies high and for a long time). The second shot - with a smaller angle and less charge (the mine flies lower and faster). The third shot - the angle is even smaller and the charge is even weaker (the trajectory is even more flat). As a result, all three mines hit the same point at the same time, but with different angles of fall. At school, in physics class, you should have learned that the maximum range of a shot with constant energy is achieved when shooting at 45 degrees to the horizon. To get to the same point, but with an elevation of 60 or 75 degrees, the charge power must be increased accordingly.
            1. -1
              10 September 2021 21: 32
              I was not taught ballistics in physics lessons !!!
            2. +3
              10 September 2021 23: 46
              And if you go from the school physics course to the university ballistics course, you will find out:
              1 each subsequent shot will be carried out at its own barrel temperature, and obturation depends on its thermal expansion. This means that the initial conditions for the problem of external ballistics when shooting along "tricky" trajectories will be poorly predictable.
              2 the wind speed at different heights is different and the sensors cannot be taken into account, therefore, it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve the simultaneous arrival of mines during practical firing
              3 mortar smooth-bore and free flight of an artillery mine is stabilized only due to its plumage, which, taking into account point 1, leads to a scatter of trajectories.
              For shooting in the "barrage of fire" mode with unguided mines, I would train a special neural network to solve the regression problem in the phase space.
              Sincerely
            3. 0
              11 September 2021 08: 56
              I'm embarrassed to ask)))) how mines of the same weight fly slower with an increased charge, and faster with a reduced charge?)))) There are concepts such as external and internal ballistics.
              1. +1
                11 September 2021 11: 25
                Not slower, but longer. Because the path is longer.
            4. 0
              13 September 2021 13: 48
              In the Soviet school, a spring-loaded "ballistic pistol" was used to demonstrate this effect, firing a metal ball at different angles and with different spring forces. We carried out laboratory work with him, measuring the flight range of the ball, so all this was deposited in our memory.
              I doubt that now schoolchildren carry out such laboratory work, and simple explanations in words are ineffective.
    2. +1
      10 September 2021 19: 50
      Moreover, in Ryabov's article

      Any mortar can do MRSI / pseudo-salvo, you just have to tinker with calculations and charges.
      1. +1
        11 September 2021 14: 05
        What is the point of wasting three mines on one target, moreover, fiddling with charges and calculations? B \ k must be saved, it is never superfluous.
  4. 0
    10 September 2021 19: 25
    Is the track width too small?
    And then the chassis seems slightly "passable" off-road against the background of the dimensions of the combat vehicle itself!
    1. +2
      11 September 2021 08: 57
      And they will only fight on the asphalt, like the Germans in the 41st))))
  5. 0
    10 September 2021 19: 27
    It looks like "Mouse". wink
    1. -1
      10 September 2021 19: 56
      no on ferdinand
  6. -2
    10 September 2021 19: 28
    "Apparently, the combat module for the new project has not been finalized." - The main thing is pretty headlights!
  7. -1
    10 September 2021 19: 37
    Quote: hohol95
    A multi-barrel mortar?
    How is it ALL mines at the same time ???
    If it takes time to reload and change the barrel elevation angle ???

    Single-barrel mortar, all mines arrive at the same time (up to 6 pieces), there are many videos on the Internet. These are mortars made by different companies.
    1. -1
      11 September 2021 08: 59
      For advertising purposes, they will draw anything on your computer))) especially Jews and Turks succeeded in this)))
  8. -1
    12 September 2021 16: 37
    Not a mortar, but a real freak, the Poles did, who else is capable of this?
  9. 0
    18 September 2021 21: 55
    In the USSR, a self-propelled 120-mm mortar of the "Cornflower" type was developed ... smooth-bore and breech-loading! I forgot, however, what he was called ... either "Violet", or "Lily of the valley" ...

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