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120mm M2 raiado
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The 120mm M2 Rifled Heavy Mortar (Portuguese: Morteiro Pesado 120mm M2 raiado) is a Brazilian 120 mm mortar designed to have great firepower, mobility, and flexibility. The RT-M2 is designed by the War Arsenal of Rio de Janeiro for the Brazilian Army artillery.[1] The RT-M2 can be transported by ground or air, and can also be air dropped, and offers a 360° range without the necessity of re-positioning the base. The RT-M2 can use any 120 mm ammunition built to international standards.
Key Information
Characteristics
[edit]- Official name: Mrt P 120 M2 R (120 M2 heavy mortar)
- Manufacturer: AGRJ - War Arsenal of Rio de Janeiro - Arsenal D. John VI
- Caliber: 120 mm[2]
- Length: 3.060 m[3]
- Total Weight: 717 kg
- Range: 6,5 km standard projectile or 13 km additional propulsion
- Rate of fire: 18 rounds / min
- Use: Command or Automatic
Ammunition:[4]
- Conventional: High explosive
- Signaling
- Exercise
- Illuminative
- Smoke
References
[edit]- ^ ".: Exército Brasileiro - Braço Forte, Mão Amiga". Archived from the original on 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ "Morteiro Pesado Antecarga 120mm". Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ "MORTEIRO PESADO 120 mm M2 RAIADO". Archived from the original on 2010-01-31. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ "DefesaNet Estratégia e Defesa do Brasil e do Mundo". Archived from the original on 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
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120mm M2 raiado
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History
Development
In the early 2000s, the Brazilian Army identified a need for a domestically produced heavy mortar to enhance infantry support capabilities, promote self-sufficiency in artillery systems, and reduce reliance on imported weapons, drawing design influences from rifled systems like the French MO-120 RT series.[5][6] The development project was initiated in 2002 by the Arsenal de Guerra do Rio de Janeiro (AGR) in collaboration with the Centro Tecnológico do Exército (CTEx), focusing on creating a towed system with advanced features for rapid deployment in diverse terrains.[7] Key design objectives included maximizing firepower with a 120 mm rifled barrel for improved range and precision over smoothbore predecessors, ensuring mobility through lightweight and air-transportable components, and providing flexibility for direct and indirect fire in infantry operations.[2][6] The first prototypes were presented in July 2005, leading to initial adoption by the Brazilian Army following successful trials that confirmed the system's reliability.[7][5] Notable innovations feature a hydraulic recoiling mechanism to manage firing stresses and minimize crew fatigue, along with compatibility with NATO-standard 120 mm ammunition for logistical interoperability and upgrades.[8][6]Production and deployment
The 120mm M2 raiado mortar is manufactured by the Arsenal de Guerra do Rio de Janeiro (AGR), Brazil's key facility for artillery production, handling assembly, maintenance, and upgrades with domestic materials to foster defense autonomy.[9][10] The system incorporates technology adapted from the French MO-120 RT for local production, prioritizing self-reliance in components.[11] Following development, the mortar entered limited service in 2005 and was progressively integrated into Brazilian Army units through the 2010s, enhancing mobile firepower for rapid-action forces.[7][8] Maintenance programs have maintained readiness, with AGR performing revitalizations. For example, in June 2021, AGR overhauled 29 units, reaching a total of 59 revitalized mortars, with 28 more in process; this included disassembly, inspections, repairs, testing, and new accessories to restore near-new condition.[11][9] Modernization to the M2A1 variant was completed in 2022, delivering approximately 400 units total and replacing French MO-120 RT systems.[7] Further activities included December 2023 testing of new batches with over 100 rounds to validate performance, deliveries starting December 22, 2023, modernized equipment acquisitions in 2023, and 2024 refurbishments and nationwide battalion deliveries for enhanced stability and munitions compatibility, and in 2025 the Arsenal de Guerra do Rio revitalized 10 mortars.[8][12][13][14] Deployment emphasizes training, such as the 2013 Estágio Setorial by Comando de Operações Terrestres (COTER) at the 29th Infantry Battalion in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, training 40 personnel from southern units on procedures, tactics, calculations, maintenance, and live-fire with AGR-produced mortars.[15] These ensure standardization in infantry and cavalry units. Production balances local sourcing with precision needs, investing in adaptations from foreign designs to meet demands.[10][9]Design
Components
The 120mm M2 raiado mortar system consists of several key physical and mechanical components designed for durability, stability, and ease of transport in field conditions. The barrel is a rifled steel tube with a 120 mm caliber, constructed from high-tensile steel to endure the pressures of firing while incorporating a recoiling mechanism that absorbs and dissipates recoil energy, enhancing operator safety and system longevity.[16] The baseplate and bipod form the mounting foundation, with the baseplate providing a sturdy anchor into various terrains for stability during firing, and the bipod enabling adjustments for 360° traverse to direct fire in any azimuth without repositioning the entire system. The mounting system is engineered for portability, allowing breakdown into three main components (barrel, bipod mount, and baseplate) that can be carried by a mortar team or transported by helicopter, facilitating rapid deployment in tactical scenarios.[17][1][5] Auxiliary components include a sight unit that supports elevation adjustments from 40° to 85° and fine traverse corrections for accurate aiming, along with a firing mechanism that ensures reliable initiation of rounds. Overall, the system employs high-tensile steel for the barrel and lightweight alloys for the mounts and bipod, balancing robustness against high-pressure firing with the need for maneuverability in combat environments.[16]Operational features
The 120mm M2 raiado mortar employs a straightforward setup procedure that enables rapid deployment in operational environments, with assembly typically completed in under 5 minutes by a standard crew of six personnel, facilitating quick transitions from transport to firing positions.[17] The system is transportable via ground vehicles such as trucks or jeeps, helicopters for airlift, or parachute airdrop, allowing for versatile logistics in diverse terrains including the dense Brazilian jungles where infantry units operate.[18] Firing principles revolve around muzzle-loading the rifled barrel with drop-fire ignition, where the propellant charge ignites upon the round's impact at the base, providing reliable indirect fire support.[17] Observed fire corrections are directed by forward observers who relay adjustments for elevation and azimuth via radio or signal, ensuring accurate targeting during dynamic engagements.[19] The mortar's tactical flexibility stems from its high mobility, permitting rapid repositioning to avoid counter-battery fire and adapt to changing battlefield conditions, making it ideal for close infantry support in varied environments like urban areas or forested regions.[8] Safety features include a recoil absorption system that mitigates backward force to protect the crew during sustained firing, while maintenance involves simple disassembly for cleaning and inspection after use, with preventive procedures conducted before and after operations to ensure reliability.[18] Integration with the Brazilian Army's fire control systems allows for coordinated barrages, where the mortar synchronizes with other artillery assets through standardized command protocols for enhanced operational effectiveness in joint maneuvers.[17]Specifications
Performance metrics
The 120mm M2 raiado mortar exhibits robust performance characteristics suited for heavy fire support in mobile operations, with key metrics emphasizing portability, firepower delivery, and engagement flexibility. Its total weight in the firing position is 717 kg, enabling disassembly into three main loads for manual or vehicular transport by a crew of five.[20][16]| Metric | Value | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel length | 3.06 m | Tube assembly dimension.[16] |
| Transport configuration | Length: 2.7 m; Height: 1.9 m; Width: 2 m | Broken down for towing; firing position length: 3 m, height: 1.3 m.[8] |
| Rate of fire | 5–15 rounds per minute | Variable based on ammunition and crew efficiency; sustained rates lower for prolonged use.[8] |
| Maximum range | 6.5 km (standard); up to 13 km (RAP) | Standard high-explosive rounds; rocket-assisted projectiles extend reach for deeper targets.[8][21] |
| Elevation | 40° to 85° | Adjustable for high-angle fire trajectories.[22] |
| Traverse | 360° | Full circle via baseplate repositioning; bipod-limited to approximately 300 mils (17°).[22] |
| Muzzle velocity | 119–331 m/s (charge-dependent) | For conventional ammunition with variable propellant charges 0–7; higher charges achieve upper end for extended range.[7] |