The situation of the Italian armed forces: the heavy mortar Thompson Brandt MO 120 RT61

(To Tiziano Ciocchetti)
27/06/19

The French heavy mortar MO 120 RT61 from 120 mm proved to be an extremely effective and versatile weapon, especially in the Afghan theater, where it was used countless times to support the Italian contingent.

It has a fairly small mass - about 600 kg in combat order - which allows it to be hung from the center of an AB-205, or towed by a LINCE.

With the PR-14 standard ammunition, the maximum range is 8.100 meters, while with HERA ammunition (High Explosive Rocket Assisted) it reaches around 13.000 meters.

The peculiarity of this mortar is to shoot projectiles stabilized by rotation, instead of with fins (which increase the friction with the air, consequently reducing the range). Not only is the mortar barrel (longer than mortars of the same caliber) scored, but even the projectile it uses must have a forcing ruled crown.

The mortars throw in the 3 ° firing range (while the howitzers in the 2 ° and the cannons in the 1 °), which allows to hit targets placed also on the back of the slopes.

The decisive factor for the use of mortars is definitely mobility, as well as the terminal effect of the stroke, as that of the mortar reaches the target with a sub-vertical trajectory, allowing a more effective saturation of area than a stroke artillery (very useful would be the use of proximity fuses, capable of blowing up the grenade a few meters above the target, saturating a large area with shrapnel and hitting groups of hostile militants even behind rocky shelters).

Distributed at a regimental level, the RT61 heavy mortars from 120 mm represent the fundamental component of the curved pull support.

Photo: Italian Army