Defence & Space

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Patria AMV XP 8×8 with TURRA 30 Turret

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, Finnish company Patria Oyj showcased its…

2025-05-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Leonardo and Weststar Join Forces to Supply Helicopters to Malaysia

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Italian company Leonardo and Malaysian firm Weststar…

2025-05-20 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA

Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met with Deputy Minister of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA),…

2025-05-14 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Japanese IHI Corporation are beginning cooperation in the construction of a constellation of up to 24…

2025-05-22 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

HSW is modernizing the Rak mortar

The Rak self-propelled mortar, mounted on the Rosomak wheeled chassis and optionally on the new Light Tracked Chassis (Lekkie Podwozie Gąsienicowe, LPG), is one of the flagship products of Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW). Several years of production and operation have laid the groundwork for developing its new version.

As reported by representatives of Huta Stalowa Wola, work on a new version of the turret with a 120 mm mortar began in 2021. The new turret system with the 120 mm mortar has been designated M69. The project was initiated by HSW S.A.

Meeting the user's needs

The work on the new turret system for the mortar was primarily based on identifying the needs of the user, namely the Polish Armed Forces. An analysis of the solutions used in the serially produced Rak was conducted, as well as information obtained during its operation, including technical maintenance.

Work on the currently used Rak began in 2005, and the new M120G Rak self-propelled mortar on the Rosomak wheeled chassis entered service with the Polish Armed Forces in 2017.

Later, work related to the Rak aimed at developing a new tracked chassis to replace the originally planned Goździk chassis, which, alongside the wheeled Rosomak, was to serve as the platform carrying the turret with the 120 mm mortar. This led to the creation of the so-called Light Tracked Chassis (LPG), partially based on solutions developed for the NBPWP (Polish acronym for New Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle) Borsuk.


A new turret with the modernized Rak mortar

The new Rak design is internally funded

Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. is working on a new generation of the turret system with a 120 mm mortar. The design work was based on the experiences gained from developing the previous version of the Rak. However, the designers also drew on solutions used in other projects and conducted an analysis of solutions used by competitors.

Importantly, the entire work on the new mortar is financed from HSW S.A.’s own funds and the funds of other companies collaborating on the project. HSW S.A. is not currently disclosing information about the total project costs.

It is worth mentioning that the Rak development program was initially funded by HSW S.A.’s own resources as well. It was only after two years of work, in 2007, that the program received financial support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and in 2009, additional funding from the Department of Defense Policy of the Ministry of National Defense.

The new incarnation of Rak

The new mortar design features a significantly redesigned turret, with a shape that clearly differs from the previous version. The most noticeable difference is the front armor plates, which have a slightly greater angle of inclination. These plates are extended forward, providing protection for the gun mount mechanism from the sides and partially from the front. The rear part of the turret also has a different shape, with distinctive slanted armor plates at the bottom.

Another design change was the implementation of a new barrel mount. In the new design, the engineers decided to adapt the barrel mount currently used in the Krab self-propelled howitzers.

The mortar has also received a new ammunition loading system. In the currently produced Rak turret systems, ammunition can be loaded at any barrel elevation angle. The new ammunition feeding system requires the barrel to be lowered in order to load the next round. Interestingly, despite the seemingly more complicated loading process, which requires changing the barrel’s position before loading ammunition, the new loading system allows for a significantly higher rate of fire compared to the system used in the currently mass-produced Rak. The current Rak can fire at a rate of 6 to 8 rounds per minute, while the new mortar features a rate of fire of 10 to 12 rounds per minute. According to representatives of HSW S.A., this achieved rate of fire places the new turret system among the fastest in the world.


Externally, the new turret mainly differs in the armor of the barrel mounting mechanism, which is extended forward, as well as the different geometry of the part containing the ammunition magazine.
Photo: HSW

The new mortar design also retains many solutions from the currently produced Rak. For example, the layout and capacity of the ammunition magazines have not changed. As in the old Rak, part of the ammunition is stored in the turret and used by the ammunition feeding system, while another part is stored in the vehicle’s hull, on which the turret is mounted. The turret ammunition magazine still holds 20 rounds, and the hull magazine holds 40 rounds.

It is planned that the crew of the new self-propelled mortar will eventually consist of three people, and the turret system itself will be operable by one person. The turret, similar to the previous version, has been equipped with an optoelectronic thermal observation head used in the command and fire control system. The crew will have access to a ballistic computer with the TOPAZ system, a thermal imaging camera, a laser rangefinder, and a direct-fire aiming system. The equipment also includes an automatic mortar targeting system.

Borsuk crossed with Rak

The new turret system with the 120 mm mortar was primarily developed for installation on the new LPG chassis. This provides the self-propelled mortar with ballistic protection compliant with STANAG Level I. However, representatives of Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. highlight other possibilities offered by the new system. It also allows for installation on the NBPWP Borsuk, which provides ballistic protection compliant with STANAG Level II. They emphasize that while maintaining all functionalities and using the same amount of ammunition, the Borsuk with the new mortar retains its amphibious capability. Of course, it remains possible to mount the new mortar on a wheeled chassis, as is the case with the “old” Rak.

Tests In The Third Quarter

The development of the new turret system is currently at the prototype stage. During a visit to the Stalowa Wola plant this winter, the editorial team of MILMAG Magazine had the opportunity to see the prototype of the new turret system in the final stage of construction. Configuration and preparation work is ongoing.

The next step will be to integrate the new turret system with a chosen platform. As mentioned earlier, this could be any wheeled or tracked chassis that meets the appropriate installation parameters. The integration work with the chassis is planned to be completed by this summer. In the third quarter of 2024, factory trials of the new turret system are expected to begin. The trial schedule includes a full range of tests, including firing and field trials. For these trials, the new turret system will most likely be mounted on an experimental NBPWP vehicle.

The new Rak M69 is expected to be presented to the broader public during this year’s International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO in Kielce.

 

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