Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

120mm Soltam K6


USA: M120


Introduction


120mm M120

US army 120mm M120 mortar seen in a live fire exercise in Djibouti in 2016.
Source: US Air Force - © Public domain

Origin
Israel
Type
Heavy mortar
Entered service
Late 1960's
Status
In service
Development
Late 1960's for K5
Late 1970's for K6
Developer
Finland - Tampella
Israel - Soltam
Production
Late 1960's - present
Producer
Israel - Soltam
United States - Watervliet Arsenal
Unit cost
About $ 50.000 for M121 in 2006
Number produced
Produced in large quantities
Designations
M120 (K6 in US service)
M121 (K6 vehicle model in US service)
Notable users
United States

Description


Introduction

The K6 is a 120mm mortar of Israeli origin. The original K5 is a slight modification of the Finnish Tampella 120 Krh/62A-H design. The K5 is a lightweight 120mm mortar that offered alongside the Soltam M65 standard mortar. The updated K6 variant addressed the rate of fire and range, making the M65 obsolete.

Design

The K5 is the first light weight version of the M65. It features a lighter and shorter barrel and much lighter base plate. The two wheel carriage is also lighter. The improved K6 replaced the K5. The K6 is similar to the K5 except for the barrel. The heavier barrel improves the performance from below that of the M65 to well beyond it. The K6 also exists in a modified version with different bipod for mounting on a turntable in a vehicle.

Firepower

When introduced the K5 had a maximum range of 6.2 km with standard mortar shells. The current production K6 light weight mortar has a range of 7.2 km when firing unassisted rounds. The maximum rate of fire is 10 rounds per minute with 5 rounds per minute being standard.

Mobility

The K5 uses a lightweight two wheel carriage derived from the carriage used with the Soltam M65 standard mortar. The K6 uses a modified carriage which also holds 6 mortar shells, allowing for a quick fire mission. A 4x4 utility vehicle or light truck are used to transport the mortar. Over short distances the crew can manhandle the mortar in the field. The barrel assembly, bipod and baseplate can be disassembled for transportation by mule in mountainous terrain.

The K6 mortar is also offered on a TT6 turntable mount. This can be installed in various vehicles. When installed in a modified M113 tracked armored personnel carrier this created the M1064 mortar carrier.

Users

The improved K6 model breached the gap between light and standard 120mm mortar. The K6 model was adopted by many nations, most notably the United States. Both the regular and the vehicle mounted K6 are in US service, known as M120 and M121 respectively.

Details


Facts 120mm K5 120mm K6
General
Origin
Israel
Type
Mortar
Crew
4 - 5
Dimensions
Weight
140 kg in firing position
266 kg on two wheel carriage
Length
2.17 m in travel configuration
Width
1.5 m in travel configuration
Height
0.98 m in travel configuration
Ordnance
Type
120mm smoothbore mortar
Barrel length
1.75 m tube
Muzzle velocity
310 m/s maximum with M58 shell
115 m/s minimum with M58 shell
Elevation
+43 to +85°
Traverse
9.4° at +75° elevation
4.7° at +45° elevation
360° on baseplate
Fire control
Sights
Indirect fire sight
Firepower
Rate of fire
10 rpm for short duration
5 rpm sustained
Range
6.2 km maximum with M58F shell
7.0 km maximum with M58FF shell
250 m minimum
Carriage
Type
Two wheel carriage
Mobility
Towing vehicle
4x4 utility vehicle or light truck
Autonomous mobility
Can be towed over short distanced by two people

Media


Related articles


120mm Soltam M65

The K5 was developed as a light 120mm mortar to supplement the Soltam M65 standard mortar. The improved K6 replaced both K5 and M65 on the production line.

M1064

The Soltam K6 mortar is the main armament of the American M1064 self-propelled mortar.