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Soltam K6
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<h2 id="design-overview">Design overview</h2> <p>The K6 fires fin-stabilized <a href="/facts/Ammunition/ajd1wm1I">ammunition</a> from a <a href="/facts/Smoothbore/T6z0unC3">smoothbore</a> barrel. Unlike its smaller-ammunition cousins, the 81 mm and 60 mm mortars, the fin blades of the ammunition fired from the M120 are not canted. Thus, no spin is imparted to the <a href="/facts/Projectile/kaDpG3N7">projectile</a> in flight. Although heavy mortars require trucks or tracked mortar carriers to move them, they are still much lighter than <a href="/facts/Field_artillery/pgpbPYe2">field artillery</a> pieces. They outrange light and medium mortars, and their explosive power is much greater. An improved version is known as the K6A3. </p><p>High-explosive rounds fired by the M120 weigh about 31 lb (14 kg) and can have a lethality radius of 225 ft (69 m).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="history-and-deployment">History and deployment</h2> <p>The K6 entered service with the <a href="/facts/United_States_Army/WACWBEK9">United States Army</a> in 1991 as the M120 Mortar System. Its mission is to provide heavy-weapon, high-angle organic <a href="/facts/Indirect_fire/g86Xc8b6">indirect fire</a> support to the unit commander. The M120 is used by both <a href="/facts/Armoured_warfare/atNMzBbv">mechanized units</a> and <a href="/facts/Light_infantry/ASsKuFrH">light infantry</a> in certain situations. Another feature of the M120 is the M303 sub-caliber insert, which allows the mortar to fire 81 mm ammunition. </p><p>The M120 is transported on the M1100 trailer by the M998 <a href="/facts/Humvee/U5huMQSr">Humvee</a>. The version that is mounted on the <a href="/facts/M1064_mortar_carrier/1yI80tl0">M1064</a> and <a href="/facts/M1129_mortar_carrier/t2DMymKg">M1129</a> mortar carriers is known as the M121. </p><p>In 2007, the U.S. Army ordered 588 M326 MSS (mortar stowage systems) from BAE Systems. Here, the assembled mortar is mounted on a truck, Humvee or M1101 trailer and can be mounted and dismounted in less than 20 seconds.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p><p>In November 2016, <a href="/facts/Elbit_Systems/JQpvbPIf">Elbit Systems</a> announced it was awarded an <a href="/facts/Indefinite_delivery%2findefinite_quantity/CupK3Fzu">Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity</a> (ID/IQ) contract for the production of the M121<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="components">Components</h2> <p>The M120 mortar system consists of the following major components: </p> <ul><li>M298 cannon assembly – 50 kg (110 lb)</li> <li>M190 bipod assembly – 32 kg (71 lb)</li> <li>M9 baseplate – 62 kg (137 lb)</li> <li>M1100 trailer – 181 kg (399 lb)</li> <li>M67 sight unit – 1.1 kg (2.4 lb)</li></ul> <p>The M120 is capable of firing the following munitions: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/XM395_Precision_Guided_Mortar_Munition/25kuYBBo">XM395</a> precision guided munition</li> <li>M929 <a href="/facts/Smoke_bomb/eMRL1xRU">smoke cartridge</a> (<a href="/facts/White_phosphorus_munitions/uT325YGE">White Phosphorus</a>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></li> <li>XM930 illumination round <ul><li>XM930E1 illumination round</li></ul></li> <li>XM931 practice round</li> <li>M933 high-explosive round</li> <li>M934 <a href="/facts/Explosive_material/sUme5Pp8">high-explosive</a> round <ul><li>M934A1 high-explosive round</li></ul></li> <li>XM983 illumination round</li></ul> <h2 id="operators">Operators</h2> <ul><li> <a href="/facts/Armenia/t3GQx9sU">Armenia</a>: 12; <i>M120</i> variant<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a>: 183 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Bolivia/YNBoDKKR">Bolivia</a>: <i>M120</i> variant<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a>: 404 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Denmark/KVtykzsw">Denmark</a>: 20<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a>: 99 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Georgia_(country)/ccBF8bBE">Georgia</a>: 18<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a>: 189 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>: 450; <i>M120</i> variant<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a>: 353 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Israel/dEe3IcaY">Israel</a></li> <li> <a href="/facts/Kazakhstan/Vfs8NI6e">Kazakhstan</a> <i>M120</i> variant<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a>: 191 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Latvia/y2PSa8lx">Latvia</a>: 25; <i>M120</i> variant<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a>: 122 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Myanmar/zcqQH2oE">Myanmar</a>:80<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a>: 296 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Poland/eXJ7fd0D">Poland</a>: 142; <i>M120</i> variant<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a>: 134 </li> <li> <a href="/facts/Ukraine/Qof0uqAj">Ukraine</a>: 30; <i>M120</i> variant donated by the United States in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></li> <li> <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a>: 1,076 <i>M120</i> and <i>M1064A3</i> variants<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a>: 48 </li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/120_Krh%2f40/bhVsfhFY">120 Krh/40</a> – The Finnish weapon that served as the basis for Soltam M-65 and K6</li> <li><a href="/facts/Cardom/4sATxdFz">Cardom</a> 120 mm recoil mortar system</li> <li><a href="/facts/M1064_mortar_carrier/1yI80tl0">M1064 mortar carrier</a> – M113 series vehicle fitted with M121 120 mm mortar</li> <li><a href="/facts/M1129_mortar_carrier/t2DMymKg">M1129 mortar carrier</a> – Stryker series vehicle fitted with M121 120 mm mortar</li> <li><a href="/facts/Soltam_M-65/cY3b5ahR">Soltam M-65</a> 120 mm mortar</li> <li><a href="/facts/Mortier_120mm_Ray%25C3%25A9_Tract%25C3%25A9_Mod%25C3%25A8le_F1/SIGovJ1Q">M327</a> – 120 mm towed mortar used the USMC</li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_U.S._military_vehicles_by_model_number/q5nj0TVm">List of U.S. military vehicles by model number</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soltam M-120 mortars. <ul><li><a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pocket+artillery.(Infantry:+mortars)-a0146354592">Pocket artillery</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m120.htm">M120 120mm Mortar</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-90/ch7.htm">M120 Field Manual</a></li> <li></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Soltam K5 and K6 120 mm light mortars (Israel), Mortars". Jane's. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120426183845/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120426183845/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>MAKING THE MORTAR SMARTER Archived 30 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine - Sofmag.com, 26 May 2015 <a href="https://www.sofmag.com/making-the-mortar-smarter/" target="_blank">https://www.sofmag.com/making-the-mortar-smarter/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"BAEs M326 MSS: Mortar In, Mortar Out, Mortar On". Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2016. <a href="http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/baes-m326-mss-mortar-in-mortar-out-mortar-on-04073/" target="_blank">http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/baes-m326-mss-mortar-in-mortar-out-mortar-on-04073/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Elbit Systems of America Receives U.S. Army Contract for Mortar Weapon Systems" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017. <a href="http://www.elbitsystems-us.com/sites/default/files/news-releases/Elbit%20Systems%20of%20America%20receives%20contract%20for%20Mortar%20Weapon%20Systems.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.elbitsystems-us.com/sites/default/files/news-releases/Elbit%20Systems%20of%20America%20receives%20contract%20for%20Mortar%20Weapon%20Systems.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>120mm Mortar Smoke Cartridge http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm Archived 7 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine <a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm" target="_blank">http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"SIPRI Arms Transfers Database | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2023. <a href="https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers" target="_blank">https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). The Military Balance. Vol. 120. Routlegde. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8. <a href="978-0-367-46639-8" target="_blank">978-0-367-46639-8</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>