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Artillery / Mortars / MO-120

MO-120

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Mortar

  • ORIGIN
    France

  • NICKNAMES
    -

  • DESIGNED
    Late 1940's (AM-50)
    Late 1950's (MO-120-60)
    Ea

  • DESIGNER
    Brandt

  • PRODUCTION
    1950's - present

  • PRODUCERS
    France - Brandt/TDA

  • QUANTITY
    Unknown

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Good range
    High quality
    Limited weight (light models)
    Heavy (AM-50)

Introduction

The MO-120 is range of towed 120mm smoothbore mortars of French origin. After World War 2 a range of Brandt 120mm smoothbore mortars was developed under the name MO-120. They are known for their high performance and good mobility.

Layout

The MO-120 mortars are conventional muzzle loaded smoothbore mortars. Their design is relatively complex. All MO-120 mortars are based on a triangular baseplate, two leg bipod and a set of two wheels that is either fixed or detachable.

Firepower

The MO-120 mortars can fire a variety of 120mm mortar shells. The performance varies vary per model. The MO-120-60 can be used out to 4.2km with normal shells while the MO-120-LT can fire up to 7 km. The maximum rate of fire is over 12 rounds per minute, although 8 rounds per minute is normal.

Mobility

All MO-120 mortars are based on a two wheel carriage which allows them to be moved in the field by infantry. The lightweight models are especially easy to transport due to their limited weight for a heavy mortar.

Users

The MO-120 mortars have been widely exported all over the world. They remain in use around the world today.

Variants

MO-120-AM-50

The AM-50 is a heavy smoothbore 120mm mortar. It is muzzle loaded and traverse and elevation are adjusted through the bipod. The AM-50 can also be fired from its fixed two wheel carriage when the axles are locked. The AM-50 was replaced by MO-120-LT.

TypeMortar
Crew?
Ordnance120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.746 m tube
Elevation+45 to +85°
Traverse17°
Rate of fire12 rpm (max), 8 rpm (normal)
Range?
CarriageSeparate 2 wheel carriage
Weight242 kg, plus 160 kg carriage
Length?
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed?
Remarks-

MO-120-60

The MO-120-60 is a lightweight mortar that is based on the AM-50. The base-plate is much smaller and the barrel is lighter. Although lightweight for a 120mm mortar the individual parts remain heavy for transportation by individuals. The MO-120-60 was supplemented with the strengthened and heavier M65.

TypeMortar
Crew?
Ordnance120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.623 m tube
Elevation+40 to +85°
Traverse?
Rate of fire15 rpm (max), 8 rpm (for 3 min)
Range6.6 km (standard rounds)
CarriageNone
Weight94 kg
Length?
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle-
Speed-
Remarks-

MO-120-M65

The M65 is a strengthened version of lightweight 120mm M60 mortar. The M65 uses the same base-plate and mount as the M60. The barrel has been strengthened to reduce overheating and it allows the use of rocket assisted rounds. A special lightweight two wheel carriage with very small wheels can be fitted.

TypeMortar
Crew?
Ordnance120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.640 m tube
Elevation?
Traverse?
Rate of fire12 rpm (max), 8 rpm (for 3 min)
Range9 km (assisted rounds)
CarriageSeperate 2 wheel light weight carriage
Weight104 kg, plus 40 kg carriage
Length?
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle-
Speed-
Remarks-

MO-120-LT

The MO-120-LT was introduced to replace the earlier AM-50. It is a conventional muzzle loaded smoothbore 120mm mortar. A massive triangular base-plate is fitted and the mortar is supported by a bipod that is adjustable in traverse and elevation. The two wheel carriage is detached during fire. The RS2M is a vehicle mounted version of the same mortar barrel.

TypeMortar
Crew?
Ordnance120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.70 m tube
Elevation+45 to +85°
Traverse17°
Rate of fire20 rpm (max), 8 rpm (normal)
Range7 km (standard rounds)
CarriageSeparate 2 wheel carriage
Weight167 kg, plus 80 kg carriage
Length?
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed?
Remarks-

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