At the dawn of the 20th century, the time for change came to the organization of military hostilities. While the howling parties dug in, dug through multi-pass trenches and fenced off with wire fences, all the power from the use of firearms, from rifles to machine guns, and powerful gun fire could not cause much damage to the soldiers.
The wire barriers are demolished by artillery fire, which was pulled up by the enemy army. Fortifications are also being destroyed, but the enemy infantry units took refuge behind deep trenches and for the most part did not suffer losses. What to do?
The appearance of mortars on the battlefield dramatically changed the balance of power. Also, the maximum range of mortar fire became a decisive factor for changing tactics not only on the battlefields, but also in urban combat conditions.
The first Russian mortar
Historically, the first mention of the use of guns for throwing shells on the principle of a mortar is mentioned during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 - 1905.
There were a lot of sea pole mines in the warehouses of Port Arthur. They were a conical-shaped iron shell on a long 15-meter pole. The execution of the idea of firing such "shells" was entrusted to Captain L. N. Gobyato. To do this, it was decided to use a 47 mm Gochinks single-barrel gun, which was mounted on a primitive carriage for this, which helped to increase the elevation angle from 45 ° to 65 °.
Before firing, a pole with a mine (the pole was shortened) and a wad, which simultaneously served as a buffer when firing, were placed in the barrel. Behind was placed a shell with a charge.
To stabilize the mines in flight, it was equipped with a four-leaf stabilizer. The firing range of the mortar was from 40 to 400 meters, and the mine produced significant damage in the explosion. And this is not at all surprising, since the ship's mine and combat charge weighed 6.2 kg!
Mortar of World War II
In August 1941, the Defense Committee of the Soviet Union decided to increase the production of mortars of 120 mm size. It was a smooth-bore rigid system with an imaginary triangle scheme. Mortar loading occurred from the muzzle end.
The firing range of a 120 mm mortar was at different angles of fire from 460 m to 5700 m (angles of fire from 45 ° to 80 °).
Among other things, the mortars were equipped with twin shock absorbers and a swinging sight, which allowed to improve combat performance.
1955 mortars
The experience of the combat use of a 120-mm gun of the 1943 model was taken into account when creating the regimental mortar in 1955. The development of mortars of this modification was conducted under the direction of B.I. Shavyrina. With the same mass, the firing range of 120 mm mortar was increased and amounted to 7.1 km.
The accuracy of the shooting was:
- average lateral deviation of 12.8 m;
- the average slope in the range of 28.4 m
In a combat position, the mortar could be deployed in 1.5 minutes.
Self-propelled mortar "Tundzha"
The development of this self-propelled gun began in 1965. The MT-LB gun special tractor was used as a chassis. The M-120 mortar (2B11) was located in the machine body. The deployment of the mortar in a martial law was arranged in such a way that the base plate rested on the ground, while the barrel protrudes beyond the dimensions of the machine.
Ammunition weighing 16 kg, 120 mm mines of the type:
- 0-843A;
- 3-843A;
- 0-843 and others.
Mortar firing range 120 mm, m:
Pointing angles:
- vertical 45 ° -80 °;
- horizontal ± 5 ^ 26).
Rate of fire in combat, rds / min:
Ammunition, min:
Mortar complex "Sani"
In 1979, the 120 mm Sled complex was adopted. It includes:
- mortar 2F510;
- pneumatic wheel 2L81 (detachable);
- 2F510 transport vehicle (GAZ-66-05 base).
Exact firing range of 120 mm mortar:
Rate of fire:
The mortar is equipped with sights:
- MPM-44M sight;
- gun collimator K2-1;
- lighting device LUCH-P2M.
The exact range of the mortar, controlled by the KM-8 arsenal:
Installation "Nona-S"
The current development trend of mortar weapons comes down to the merger of 120 mm mortars and cannon artillery-loaded artillery howitzers. Self-propelled guns under the name 2S9 "NONA-S", adopted in 1976, has the ability to fire both rifled shells and mines with plumage, which affects the increased firing range of 120 mm guns.
The capabilities of NONA-S are significantly expanded and allow it to be used not only to suppress the enemy’s strength, but also to destroy defensive structures, and to wage a successful battle with tanks.
For use in mountain conditions, "NONA-S" is especially indispensable, since the barrel raised at the zenith solves the tasks of suppressing manpower, which are not available to howitzers or guns.
An important feature is the extremely small firing range of 120 mm mortar:
- for a projectile - 1700 m;
- for mines - 400 m.
Therefore, the ammunition includes 120 mm mines:
- high-explosive fragmentation;
- lighting;
- smoke;
- incendiary.
The practical firing range reaches 7.1 km.
The rate of fire of the regime (7-8 rounds) per minute is ensured by an automatic striker. After the shot, the gun barrel is blown under pressure with compressed air to remove powder gases.
"Vein"
In 1995, the SAU 2S31 Vienna was created, in which the firing range of the 120 mm mortar reaches 14,000 meters.
Ammunition installation contains:
- HE high explosive fragmentation shell - 49 and HE - 54;
- active rockets OF50;
- cumulative shells ;
- all types of mortar ammunition of 120 mm caliber can be used, except domestic and foreign;
- Guided missiles "Kitolov - 2M".
The pointing angle in the vertical plane is from -4 ° to + 80 °. Automatic recovery after each shot.
The ammunition of the gun is 70 rounds in the ammunition depots, and in addition there is the possibility of supplying ammunition from the ground through a special hatch in the starboard side with an armored cover.
The firing range of modern mortars is constantly increasing and the use of such SAO type "Vienna" becomes especially relevant.
Hosta
A thoroughly modernized howitzer of 120 mm, the firing range of which reached 13 km, Khosta received a new circular rotation tower. And also nodes and innovations from 2C31 "Vienna", 2C23 "NONA" SVK were installed. At the same time, the running gear is also a modernized BSh MT-DB.
The main difference is the improved 2A80-1 gun, which is equipped with a muzzle brake. That allowed to increase the rate of fire 2 times and fire absolutely all types of shells of 120 mm caliber:
- high-explosive fragmentation;
- a mine;
- modern shells 3FOF112 Kitolov-2.
In the new 2C34 Hosta mortar system, firing can be conducted without preparing positions, not only with direct fire, but also capable of hitting targets on the opposite slopes of heights.
Her aiming rate of fire was increased from 4 to 9 rounds per minute.
Towed mortar
Along with the SAO type "Sani" the Russian army received and towed:
- 2B16 "Nona - K";
- 2B23 "Nona M1".
At the same time, they did not lose their combat qualities, as did the CAO.
Such a need arose to supply the air assault brigades with their artillery. When developing the "Nona K" mortar gun 2B16. The experience of military operations in Afghanistan was taken into account. This type of mortar was adopted into service in 1986.
Already in 2007, the Russian army adopted 120 mm 2B23 NONA-M1. The gun was taken to destroy both enemy personnel and lightly armored vehicles.
Also mortar 2B23 equipped with mortar batteries of the ground forces. For use in the Airborne Forces there was the possibility of landing from an aircraft on specially equipped platforms. The ammunition of this mortar includes all types of 120 mm min.
These mortars have been field tested in a variety of local conflicts.
Modern means, having a range of 120 mm mortar fire from 400 to 7000 meters, can not always hope for the timely transportation of ammunition. Therefore, the tendency to use such weapons during hostilities involves the use of 120 mm charges from mortars of armies of other countries. The use of such a formula allows for fire support of one’s forces on the territory of the enemy.