During the 29th International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, on 7-10 September this year, Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), which is part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), presented a new version of the tracked 120 mm self-propelled mortar M120G RAK on a modified Light Tracked Chassis (LPG ).
During the 29th International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Huta Stalowa Wola, which is part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), presented a new version of the M120G RAK self-propelled 120 mm tracked mortar. Photos: HSW
Compared to the previously known M120 RAK self-propelled tracked mortar (SMG), the presented chassis, among others: the suspension was changed from torsion rollers to hydropneumatic suspension, the return rollers were also used, and the number of road wheels was reduced from 14 to 12. The hull floor structure was also changed – HSW abandoned the use of the lower part of the body of the 122 mm self-propelled howitzer 2S1 Gvozdika (in Polish ”Goździk”; in NATO code M1974), and designed a new structure from scratch, which allows to increase the level of anti-mine protection.
The most visible change in the reference of the appearance of the mortar vehicle hull to the design of the prototype of the New Infantry Fighting Vehicle (NBPWP) BORSUK. It is worth emphasizing – the new, modified project is a complete departure from the 2S1 design – it is a chassis made from scratch at HSW.
The solutions applied will provide greater comfort to the crew of the vehicle while moving and performing the tasks (including reduction of vibrations and shocks). The mortar is the result of HSW’s work on a modified light tracked chassis, which is a continuation of the Company Fire Module (KMO “Kompanijny Moduł Ogniowy”) development programme for the 120 mm RAK self-propelled mortars on a tracked chassis (SMG).
The previously known M120G Rak, after qualifying tests as a prototype, was handed over to the Artillery and Armament Training Centre (CSAiU) in Toruń. The new vehicle is part of the concept of modular construction of artillery systems, which assumes the greatest possible unification of equipment with the most optimal level of use of existing technical solutions – a modified light tracked chassis for use in the REGINA programme as a command vehicle (WD – “Wóz Dowodzenia”) as well as command and control vehicles (WDSz – “Wóz Dowódczo-Sztabowy”) or RAK programme as an artillery command vehicle (AWD – “Artyleryjski Wóz Dowodzenia”) together with an artillery reconnaissance vehicle (AWR – “Artyleryjski Wóz Rozpoznawczy”).
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