The Mjolner combines the proven CV90 chassis and the high performance Mjolner mortar-turret. Mjolner is a high firepower twin-barrel 120mm smooth bore mortar jointly developed by BAE Systems Hägglunds. The CV90 vehicles are the result of a joint venture between Bofors Defence and Hagglunds. The CV90 vehicles are extremely agile, all-terrain capable, with minimized radar and IR signatures to achieve high survivability. They also feature reduced maintenance costs and high growth potential. The Mjolner provides high rate indirect fire at battalion level, while retains significant direct fire capability.The first CV90 vehicles where delivered to the Swedish Army in 1993. In addition, Norway, Switzerland, Finland and Netherlands have ordered CV90 armored vehicles. Mjölner is the hammer of Thor in Norse mythology and is depicted as one of the most fearsome weapons, capable of leveling mountains.
The Mjolner mortar system can engage targets at more than 10 km with conventional unguided ammunition or smart ammunition such as the Strix 120 mm top attack mortar bomb that was developed by the now Saab Dynamics and also sold to Switzerland. It also provides a multiple round simultaneous impact capability of up to 14 impacts simultaneously and provides high rates of fire. It can also fire This has a maximum range of 7,500 m and is fitted with a nose-mounted infrared seeker and a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead that is designed to penetrate the vulnerable upper surfaces of main battle tanks (MBT) and other armoured fighting vehicles. The CV90 120 mm Mjolner system will fire the currently deployed 120 mm high-explosive (HE), smoke and illuminating projectiles, although in the longer term a more effective HE round with improved fragmentation effects could be procured.
Production of the twin 120 mm Mjolner turret systems will start in 2018 with deliveries to run from late 2018 or early 2019 through to 2020. This work will be undertaken at the BAE Systems Hagglunds facility where the CV90 series platforms are being overhauled. The turret will be built by BAE Systems Hagglunds with the twin 120 mm smooth bore barrels sourced from Slovakia. The Mjolner comprises two 120 mm smoothbore mortars that are muzzle loaded using a mechanical ammunition handing system. The system is operated by a four-person crew of the driver, commander, and two ammunition loaders. The Mjölner gives a full 60 degrees of slew in azimuth without the complexity and costs of powered turret rotation. With an elevation from 45 to 85 degrees, targets can be effectively engaged over a wide range of distances.
In December 2010 the Finnish Army ordered 18 CV90 AMOS mortar systems with deliveries beginning in 2013. The Swedish Army ordered the conversion of 40 CV9040 armored vehicles into CV90 Mjolner in December 2016. The Swedish vehicles will be designated GRKPBV90 with deliveries due to start in 2020. Each of the five CV9040 mechanised battalions of the Swedish Army will be issued with eight CV90 twin 120 mm Mjolner mortar systems. Each system will be supported by a Bv 206 tracked articulated all terrain load carrier that will carry additional 120 mm mortar ammunition. These will be integrated into CV90 platforms originally built for the 120 mm AMOS (Advanced MOrtar System), which had been jointly developed by BAE Systems Hagglunds and Patria to meet the requirements of Finland and Sweden.
