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.
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.
- Specifications:
- MO-120-AM-50
Type | Mortar |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.746 m tube |
Elevation | +45 to +85° |
Traverse | 17° |
Rate of fire | 12 rpm (max), 8 rpm (normal) |
---|---|
Range | ? |
Carriage | Separate 2 wheel carriage |
Weight | 242 kg, plus 160 kg carriage |
Length | ? |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 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.
- Specifications:
- MO-120-60
Type | Mortar |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.623 m tube |
Elevation | +40 to +85° |
Traverse | ? |
Rate of fire | 15 rpm (max), 8 rpm (for 3 min) |
---|---|
Range | 6.6 km (standard rounds) |
Carriage | None |
Weight | 94 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.
- Specifications:
- MO-120-M65
Type | Mortar |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.640 m tube |
Elevation | ? |
Traverse | ? |
Rate of fire | 12 rpm (max), 8 rpm (for 3 min) |
---|---|
Range | 9 km (assisted rounds) |
Carriage | Seperate 2 wheel light weight carriage |
Weight | 104 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.
- Specifications:
- MO-120-LT
Type | Mortar |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.70 m tube |
Elevation | +45 to +85° |
Traverse | 17° |
Rate of fire | 20 rpm (max), 8 rpm (normal) |
---|---|
Range | 7 km (standard rounds) |
Carriage | Separate 2 wheel carriage |
Weight | 167 kg, plus 80 kg carriage |
Length | ? |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | - |