General Facts

TYPE
Mortar

ORIGIN
USSR

NICKNAMES
-

DESIGNED
Early 1940's (M43)
Early 1960's (M160)

DESIGNER
?

PRODUCTION
1943 - 1970's

PRODUCERS
USSR

QUANTITY
Unknown

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Good range
Heavy shells
Very heavy
Limited rate of fire

Introduction

The M43 is a heavy smoothbore 160mm mortar of Russian 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.

Layout

The M43 is a breech loaded mortar on a two wheel carriage. When loading a shell the barrel is pivoted forward and the round is inserted from the rear. a large circular baseplate provides stability and the two wheels serve as a bipod.

Firepower

The M43 fires massive 160mm shells weighing over 40 kg. The M43 has a maximum range of 5.2 km. The longer barreled M160 has a range of 8 km. The rate of fire is 3 rounds per minute.

Mobility

The M43 is towed by its barrel behind a light truck. It is too heavy to be moved by infantry.

Users

The M43 was widely used in World War 2. It was exported to various nations. The M160 replaced the M43 in Russian service and remains in reserve use today.

M43

The M43 is a smoothbore 160mm mortar. It is breech loaded as the barrel is too long to muzzle load the shells. It is based on a two wheel carriage that doubles as a bipod. A large round baseplate provides stability.

Specifications:
M43 (160mm)

M160

The M160 is an improved version of the M43 that was developed in the 1960's. It has been strengthened and has a longer barrel. Besides the original 160mm shells it fires a new shell with more explosive power.

Specifications:
M160

Type	Mortar
Crew	7
Ordnance	160mm smoothbore mortar, 4.550 m tube
Elevation	+50 to +80°
Traverse	24°

Rate of fire	2 to 3 rpm
Range	750 to 8.040 km
Carriage	Fixed 2 wheel carriage, doubling as bipod in firing position, 1.75 m track
Weight	1.300 kg (firing position), 1.470 kg (travelling)
Length	4.860 m (travelling)