120mm MO-120-AM50
Overview
120mm MO-120-AM50
120mm MO-120-AM50 mortar in firing position resting on its two wheel carriage. Note the late production wheels on this particular model.
Source: Thompson Brandt -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Germany
Argentina
Description
Introduction
The MO-120-AM50 is an early Cold War era heavy mortar of French origin. It was developed shortly after World War 2.
Design
The MO-120-AM50 is a conventional heavy duty 120mm mortar. It is a muzzle loaded smoothbore mortar with very large triangular baseplate and an adjustable bipod. A two wheel carriage is used to move the AM50. The mortar is fired either from the bipod, or from its wheeled carriage with the axle locked.
Firepower
The AM50 fires 120 mm mortar shells out to a range of 6.6 km. Minimum range is 0.5 km. The AM50 has a maximum rate of fire of 12 rpm and a normal rate of fire or 8 rpm.
Mobility
The AM50 is moved using a special two wheel carriage, which allows it to be towed behind a light truck that carries the crew and ammunition. Due to its weight it can only be moved by its crew over short distances.
Users
The MO-120-AM50 proved to be a successful design and was widely exported. It was commonly found in Europe and South America, but was also exported to Africa and the Middle East. Nowadays only limited numbers remain in services. Most nations adopted lighter 120mm mortars or the heavier and more capable MO-120-RT.
Details
Media
120mm MO-120-AM50
120mm MO-120-AM50 mortar in firing position resting on its two wheel carriage. Note the early type wheels on this particular model.
Source: Hotchkiss-Brandt
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
120mm MO-120-AM50
French paratroopers in Indochina with two 120mm AM50 mortars in 1953 or 1954.
Source: davric
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
120mm MO-120-RT
France and some other nations replace the AM50 with the MO-120-RT, which is a heavier and longer range rifled mortar.