General Facts
- TYPE
Mortar - ORIGIN
China - NICKNAMES
Type 86 - DESIGNED
1980's - DESIGNER
? - PRODUCTION
1980's - present - PRODUCERS China - Norinco
- QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Good range
Good rate of fire
Heavy
Introduction
The W86 is a mortar of Chinese origin. It was developed to replace the older Type 55 in Chinese service, but it is unknown if it was adopted.
Layout
The W86 is a smoothbore mortar which is more modern and lighter than the previous Type 55. It features a recoil buffer that is wrapped around the barrel as with the 81mm W87 mortar. A conventional bipod and triangular baseplate are fitted. During travel a small two wheel carriage is used to transport the W86, which is towed by its muzzle. The crew consists of 7 to 9 people.
Firepower
The W86 fires a new series of 120mm shells out to 7.7 km. Old pattern Soviet and Chinese 120mm shells can also be fired but out to shorter ranges. The maximum rate of fire is 20 rpm.
Mobility
Although the W86 can be disassembled in several pieces it is far to heavy to be man portable. The two wheel carriage allows it to be towed by troops into position and by light vehicle over longer distances. The W86 is also available on a turntable for mounting it in vehicles such as the YW-531H.
Users
It is not known if the W86 is in use with Chinese forces. It has been exported to several nations.
W86
The W86 is a modern smoothbore 120mm mortar. It can be identified by its recoil buffer that is wrapped around the barrel and small wheel carriage is used for transportation
- Specifications:
- W86
| Type | Mortar |
|---|---|
| Crew | 7 - 9 |
| Ordnance | 120mm smoothbore mortar, 1.54 m tube |
| Elevation | +40 to +80° |
| Traverse | 5° left and right on bipod, 360° on baseplate |
| Rate of fire | 20 rpm (max) |
|---|---|
| Range | 400 m to 7.7 km (max) |
| Carriage | Separate 2 wheel carriage |
| Weight | 206 kg (firing position), 291 kg (travelling) |
| Length | 2.36 m (travelling) |
| Width | 1.56 m (travelling) |
|---|---|
| Height | 1.08 m (travelling) |
| Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
| Speed | ? |
| Remarks | - |
120mm M43
The W86 was developed as a more capable alternative to older 120mm mortars such as the Soviet M43 series.
