Poland is developing new 120 mm ammunition for use with its Rak 120 mm self-propelled mortar (SPM) systems that are now deployed by the Polish Army.
The new family of 120 mm ammunition is includes a 120 mm high-explosive (HE) mortar bomb with a streamlined body, designated the 120 RAK HE K-43, fitted with a UMZ-12 fuze and a maximum of six propellant charges at the rear. It weighs 16 kg and the TNT filling is insensitive munition (IM) compliant.
The Rak 120mm self-propelled mortar system is currently being produced by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) to meet the requirements of the Polish Land Forces. The mortar can conduct indirect, semi-direct and direct fire against mechanised units, command posts, command-observation points and fortifications. The contract for the production of 64 Rak mortar systems and 32 command post vehicles was signed between the MoND Armament Inspectorate and the consortium of HSW and Rosomak. The Rak self-propelled mortar system is based on the on the chassis of Rosomak 8×8 armoured vehicle
The turret is armed with a 120mm breech-loaded mortar system with a barrel length of 3,000mm. The secondary armament includes a 7.62mm UKM 2000 D machine gun equipped with BAZALT day-night gun sight. The 120mm mortar has a rate-of-fire of six to eight rounds a minute and a maximum firing range of 10km. The system can fire at an angle of elevation between -3° and 80° and can traverse 360°. The mortar is fed by an automatic loading system, which holds 20 projectiles for immediate use, while 26 additional projectiles are stored in the crew compartment.
The vehicle offers STANAG 4569 Level 1 protection. The armoured hull and turret protect the crew from small arms fire, 7.62mm rounds, artillery shell splinters and hand grenades, unexploded artillery fragmenting sub-munitions, and small anti-personnel explosive devices. Four 81mm smoke grenade launchers mounted on either side of the turret further increase the survivability of the vehicle. The Rak mortar carrier is powered by a Scania DI1249A03P turbocharged diesel engine mated to a ZF Ecomat 7HP 902S automatic gearbox with seven forward plus one reverse gear.
