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120mm M1982


Aruncător de bombe calibru 120 mm model 1982


Overview


120mm M1982

Romanian 120mm M1982 mortar being fired in Afghanistan in 2008.
Source: www.mapn.ro - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Romania
Type
Heavy mortar
Entered service
1982
Status
In service
Development
Late 1970's
Developer
Romania
Production
1982 - present
Producer
Romania - Reșița arsenal
Number produced
317 or more
Designations
Aruncător de bombe calibru 120 mm model 1982
Notable users
Romania

Description


Introduction

The 120mm M1982 is a late Cold War era heavy mortar of Romanian origin. It was developed to replace the Soviet 120-PM-43, which is a World War 2 era design.

Design

The M1982 is a conventional muzzle loaded smoothbore mortar. It uses an adjustable bipod with indirect fire sight and it rests on a large triangular baseplate. A separate two wheel carriage is used to transport and position the mortar. A crew of six operates the mortar.

Firepower

The M1982 fires 120mm shells out to a maximum range of about 5.5 km when using older shells types. A new range of ammunition can reach out to 7.4 km. This includes high explosive, smoke, illumuniation and a leaflet dispenser. Normal rate of fire is 8 to 10 rpm.

Mobility

The M1982 comes with a separate two wheel carriage. This is used to tow the mortar by vehicle. In Romanian service the DAC-665T 6x6 truck is used as towing vehicle. This also carries the crew and ammunition. The two wheel carriage is also used by its crew to position the mortar in the field.

Mountain troops use six horses to transport the mortar. This setup excludes the carriage and uses six saddle frames for the components and ammunition.

Users

The main user of the M1982 is Romania, which acquired well over 300 of these mortars. In recent years batches of ex-Romanian mortars were exported to allies in Eastern Europe, such as Slovakia and Lithuania.

Details


Facts M1982
General
Origin
Romania
Type
Heavy mortar
Crew
6
Dimensions
Weight
280 kg in firing position
480 kg on two wheel carriage
Weight (components)
65 kg barrel (possibly including double feed prevention device)
27 kg bipod
100 kg baseplate
Ordnance
Type
120mm smoothbore mortar
Barrel length
1.54 m
Muzzle velocity
272 m/s
Elevation
+45° to +80°
Traverse
10° on bipod
360° on is baseplate
Fire control
Sights
Indirect fire sight
Firepower
Rate of fire
8 to 10 rpm
Range
7.4 km maximum with new range of shells
5.575 m maximum with 120-PM-43 ammunition
Carriage
Type
Separate two wheel carriage
Mobility
Towing vehicle
DAC-665T 6x6 truck
Autonomous mobility
Can be pulled over short distances by its crew

Media


Related articles


120mm PM-43

The M1982 was developed to replace the 120-PM-43 in Romanian service. It can fire both the old range of ammunition and new longer range ammunition.