Mortar 120mm: specifications (photo)

Despite the fact that in recent years military equipment has been substantially modernized, mortar armament is still the main weapon for any military unit. In general, this is due to the fact that in the development of this weapon, developers were able to combine high fire efficiency with insignificant value. This weapon is best suited for providing fire support for infantry, especially in cases where combat operations are conducted in hard-to-reach terrain with complex terrain.

Types of mortars

The greatest popularity in the military industry was earned by a mortar 120 mm model 1943 under the name PM-43, on the basis of which a large number of modern modifications were developed:

• 2B11 - the standard version;
• 2B24 - domestic modification significantly superior in fire performance to all imported analogues;
  2B11 - modification, licensed in Bulgaria;
• 2C12 - is a mortar complex, called "Sany". Its design is represented by a 2F510 (GAZ-66) machine on which the unit is transported, and a 2L81 wheel-drive designed for use with the standard version of the mortar 2B11;
• 2K32 - mortar class 2B24 is located on the armored tracked;
• 2B25 - used by special units. It has a number of advantages, allowing to produce attacks, in which the enemy can not determine the location of the installation and, as a consequence, eliminate it. It is also available in the version of "Komandos" with a range of up to 3 km with an overall design weight not exceeding 12 kg.

Application 2B11

In the event that it is required to destroy or suppress the movements of enemy infantry or combat forces by hanging fire, the mortar 120 mm, whose characteristics fully meet the declared requirements, will become an indispensable tool. In this case , its scope is very diverse. It can be used for shooting on steep slopes, mountain ranges, gorges, forests. Successfully used to destroy enemy trenches, trenches and various military structures of light construction. If necessary, it can be used to make holes in wire barriers or to repel enemy attacks at any time of the day.

The main varieties of 120 mm mines used in 2B11

The efficiency, which reached the mortar 120 mm, the characteristics of which are indicated with the calculation for 5 people, in recent years has been significantly improved in the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik". Now the structure is transported on vehicles URAL-43206 and armored crawler MT-LB, allowing to guarantee the accompanying crew the maximum degree of protection.

The main mines used are:

• Fragmentation-high explosive with a weight of up to 15.9 kg;
• Incendiary;
• Smoke;
• Lighting;
• Agitational.

At the same time, the time that needs to be spent in order to occupy the firing position, if necessary, is 8 minutes, and in order to leave it, it will take about 6 minutes.

Start of production of modern mortars

The standard mortar 120 mm, whose TTX is based entirely on the original model of the Second World War, was published in 1979 at the Central Research Institute "Burevesnik" (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia). It was named 2B11 and, in service in 1981, began to be serially produced at the firm "Motovilikhinsky Zavod", during which about 1,500 mortar guns of this type were produced.

The device of a mortar 2B11

In fact, the mortar 120 mm is a device with recoilless design, installed with the help of a biped and breech with a supporting heel on a rigid plate. It serves as a support, which should be placed directly on the ground. Since charging is performed only through the muzzle, and in the conditions of combat operations, a double charge can be laid, the first of which serves as a fuse of the second, triggering an explosion directly in the barrel of the mortar, most of the modifications of 2B11 received on the muzzle a special mechanism preventing this action and, consequently, Significant injuries.

Compared to the 1943 model, the 120-mm mortar, whose characteristics have been significantly modified, is molded from modern materials that greatly facilitate its construction and transportation. The design was equipped with a sight of the model MPM-44M, providing maximum accuracy of impact at a distance of 480 to 7100 m. If necessary, the MPM-44 can be increased by more than 2 °, providing a field of view of more than 9 °.

Important was also the ability to translate the 120 mm mortar, the photo of which is presented below, into the combat position in less than 2 minutes, which saves considerable time for the production of a shot in the conditions of an unexpected attack by the enemy.

In the case where the application of 2B11 is carried out in an area where the machine does not pass the 2F510, the mortar is mounted directly on the crawler chassis, making it much easier to transport the gun.

Mortar 120 mm TTX

The 2B11 mortar can use all kinds of mines with a caliber of 120 mm for firing. This category includes even managed mines of the KM-8 "Gran" category, it is already possible to judge properly about combat characteristics, which is shown by the mortar 120 mm. The servicemen's comments on this weapon make it possible to judge the maximum range of firing, which is about 7500 m with the usual charge.

The total weight for all modifications, including directly 2B11, is 210 kg, allowing to produce more than 15 rounds per minute with an initial charging speed of at least 325 m / s. The design of the barrel with a length of 1740 mm provides a vertical angle of guidance in the range from + 45 ° to + 80 °. The horizontal indices in this case fluctuate within ± 5 °, keeping the sighting parameters at 360 ° with the angle of horizontal fire from 5 ° to 26 °.

Basic data

A 120-mm mortar, whose radius of fire when firing mines is 9,000 meters, is by far the most effective weapon for suppressing the enemy's firepower and covering the movement of infantry squads.

Shooting is carried out by mortar rounds with GVMZ-7 fuses and alternating charge. It is noteworthy that the machine 2F510 (GAZ-66 car) with V-shaped 8 cylinder engine, in which 2B11 is transported, can carry with him only a strictly defined stock of charges located in 24 boxes. The ammunition is designed to produce 48 shots, which can make a mortar 120 mm. The characteristics of the device allow loading and unloading of 2B11 into the body of the car without the use of heavy equipment.

In the event that people for doing this procedure for any reason are not enough, the mortar is transported in tow. At the same time, the 2F510 engine is petrol and belongs to the class ZMZ-66-06, whose capacity reaches 120 liters. from. At the same time the maximum permissible speed of movement along the route is 90 km / h.

In the event that a car with a mortar installation must cross the river ford, for a normal passage of the machine will have to perform preliminary measurements. In the deepest place, the maximum permissible water level should not exceed 1 m.

The brake system is equipped with a hydraulic drive with several circuits and hydro vacuum amplifiers on each of them. These factors make it possible to ensure the reliability of transportation of 2B11, even in difficult combat conditions. The only weakness of the 2F510 is the dependent suspension on polyelliptical springs with shock absorbers.

Prospects for 2B11

Currently, the developers are busy creating a new look of a unified set of 120 mm mortar 2B11 in order to ensure the design of the maximum range of fire with full automation of the preparation and conduct of fire with precision ammunition.

The configuration of the mortar will depend directly on its load-carrying capacity and dimensions. At the same time, the simplified system, created on the hydropneumatic support, is planned for placement on the chassis of the class "Tiger" and IVECO, which will have a significant impact not only on transportation, but also on ease of use. It is planned to improve the already existing version so that the fire attack will be carried out without the noise, flame and smoke accompanying the shot.

Continuous development of new models and improvement of existing mortar installations provides support for Russia's consistently high rating in the military industry and provides the state one of the first places on the world stage.