160mm PM-43
MT-13
Overview
160mm PM-43
Soviet 160-PM-43 heavy mortar on public display.
Source: pershing11111 -
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593 during WW2
160-PM-43
Egypt
Description
Introduction
The 160mm PM-43 is a World War 2 era heavy mortar of Soviet origin. It was developed in World War 2 as a simple and reliable solution for heavy shelling. It is one of the heaviest mortars that has been produced in large quantities.
Design
The design started out in 1942 as an upscaled 120-PM-38 mortar. Muzzle loading the heavy shells was found impractical. The design was radically changed to a breech loading mortar. When loading a shell the barrel is pivoted forward and the round is inserted from the rear. A large circular baseplate provides stability. The two wheels of the fixed carriage serve as a bipod in the firing position.
Firepower
The 160-PM-43 fires massive 160mm shells weighing over 40 kg. The maximum range is 5.150 meters, with the minimum range being 630 meters. The rate of fire is 3 rounds per minute.
Mobility
The 160-PM-43 is towed by a lug on its barrel behind a towing vehicle. This can be a truck or a tracked prime mover. The 160-PM-43 is too heavy to be moved by infantry in the field.
Users
The 160-PM-43 was adopted by the Soviet Union and used during the final stages of World War 2. Over 500 were produced during World War 2, with about half that number serving in combat. Total production was over 1.500 units. The 160-PM-43 was exported in small numbers to a wide range of Soviet allies. It was used by Egypt in the 1967 and 1973 wars with Israel. In Soviet service the 160-PM-43 was supplemented by the more capable M160 mortar, which was adopted in 1949.
Details
Related articles
120mm PM-43
The 160mm PM-43 was developed to supplement the 120mm PM-38 and PM-43 mortars at the divisional level.
160mm M160
The 160mm M160 is the successor to the 160-PM-43. It has a longer barrel and extends the maximum range to 8 km.