120mm 2B11 Sani

2S12 Sani

Overview

2B11 Sani

Russian soldiers sighting in a 2B11 Sani mortar during an exercise in 2017.
Source: www.mil.ru - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin

Soviet Union

Type

Heavy mortar

Entered service

1981

Status

In service

Development

1979

Developer

Soviet Union - Burevestnik Central Research Institute

Production

1981 to present

Producer

Soviet Union - Motovilikha plant
Russia - Motovilikha plant

Number produced

Over 1.500

Designations

Sani (official nickname)
Russian for "sled"
2B11 (GRAU index for mortar)
2S12 (GRAU index for transport system)

Notable users

Soviet Union
Ukraine
Bulgaria

Description

Introduction

The 2B11 is a Cold War era 120mm mortar of Russian origin. The 2B11 has the nickname Sani, which is Russian for "sled". It was developed to provide a longer range and better mobility than the World War 2 era PM-43.

Design

The 2B11 is a muzzle loaded smoothbore mortar of a conventional design. It can be viewed as a vastly improved M120 or PM-43. It features a longer and stronger barrel. The 2B11 can be dismantled in a base plate, barrel and tripod, but is normally transported in an assembled state on a two wheel carriage. A crew of five operates the weapon.

Firepower

The 2B11 fires a new range of 120mm shells, although ammunition for the PM-43 can also be used. The maximum range is 7.1 km. A maximum rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute can be achieved, with 10 rpm being the normal rate of fire.

Mobility

The 2B11 is issued with a light weight two wheel carriage. Due to its light weight it is more easily towed by infantry over short ranges than other mortars. Due to the light carriage over longer distances the 2B11 is to be transported on a vehicle. It is also possible to disassemble the 2B11 in five pieces, which is useful for mountain troops.

A major design element of the 2B11 mortar is a dedicated transport vehicle for mortar, crew and ammunition. The combination of 2B11 mortar and transport vehicle is called the 2S12 Sani. When introduced in 1981 the 2F510 4x4 light truck was used, which is a modified GAZ-66. In the 2000's the 2S12A was developed, which is based around the larger and more capable Ural-43206 4x4 truck.

Users

The 2B11 is primarily used in Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. It is not as widely proliferated as the PM-43. For many nations, especially third world nations, the PM-43 suffices and the 2B11 is not worth the investment.

Details

Facts 2B11 Sani

General

Origin

Soviet Union

Type

Mortar

Crew

Dimensions

Weight

297 kg on 2L81 two wheel carriage

210 kg in firing position

Ordnance

Type

120mm smoothbore mortar

Barrel length

1.740 kg

Muzzle velocity

325 m/s

Elevation

+45 to +80°

Traverse

5° left and right on bipod

360° by lifting bipod

Fire control

Sights

MPM-44M indirect fire sight

Firepower

Rate of fire

12 to 15 rpm maximum

10 rpm normal

Range

7.180 m maximum

460 m minimum

Carriage

Type

2L81 or 2Ph510 separate 2 wheel lightweight carriage

Tread

0.90 m

Mobility

Towing vehicle

2F510 (GAZ-66) 4x4 light truck

2F510A (Ural-43206) 4x4 truck

Towed speed

80 km/h when carried inside the truck

60 km/h towed on road

20 km/h towed off road

Autonomous mobility

Can be moved on carriage over short distances by hand

System composition

2B11 mortar

The 2B11 mortar can be used as a standalone mortar with its associated 2F81 two wheel carriage.

2S12 Sani

The 2S12 Sani system combines the 2B11 mortar with a 2F510 4x4 light truck. The 2F510 is based on the GAZ-66 4x4 light truck. The truck is modified to carry the ammunition for the 2B11 and its crew. The 2F510 can either tow the 2B11 on its 2L81 carriage over short distances, or carry it internally by loading it via a ramp.

2S12A Sani

The improved 2S12A was developed somewhere in the 2000's. The 2S12A is centered around the 2F510A truck, which is based on the more capable Ural 43206 4x4 truck. The crew is seated in a double cab. The 2S12A uses either the older 2L81 two wheel carriage or new 2Ph510 two wheel carriage.