M-160 mortar explained
160 mm mortar M-160 |
Origin: | Soviet Union |
Type: | Mortar |
Is Artillery: | yes |
Service: | 1953–present |
Manufacturer: | Tula Plant No. 535 (now Tulamashzavod)[1] V111, V113 and V125 Plant (Vietnam)[2] |
Production Date: | 1949-1957 (USSR) 1974 (Vietnam, with support from USSR) |
Number: | 2,353 (USSR) 100 (Vietnam) |
Variants: | See variants |
Weight: | 1470kg (3,240lb) |
Part Length: | 4.55m (14.93feet)[3] |
Crew: | 7 |
Cartridge: | 41.5kg (91.5lb) bomb |
Caliber: | 160mm |
Rate: | 2-3 rounds/minute |
Velocity: | 343m/s |
Range: | 8040m (26,380feet) |
Elevation: | +50° to +80° |
Traverse: | 24° |
The Soviet 160 mm Mortar M-160 is a smoothbore breech loading heavy mortar which fired a 160 mm shell. It replaced the 160mm Mortar M1943 in Soviet service after World War II.
Description
It is very similar to the M1943 mortar but has a longer barrel, thus enabling a greater range.[4] Loading the mortar requires the breech to be released from the baseplate and swung into a horizontal position, after loading the round it is returned to its original position. It is mounted on a wheeled carriage, in order to be towed by trucks such as the GAZ-66. China copied it as the Type 56 mortar.
The M-160 has a minimum range of 750m (2,460feet) and a maximum range of 8040m (26,380feet).
According to the combat doctrine of the Vietnamese People's Army, the 160mm mortar was developed to destroy the enemy's fortified bunkers and trenches, and can also be used to ambush military bases. The mortar can be deployed in all terrains such as hills, mountains, plains, and urban areas. It is most effective when deployed in elevated terrain and urban areas where the target is often hidden behind defensive cover.[5]
Service
It was introduced in 1953. Originally deployed as a standard mortar for all types of division, it is currently particularly used as mountain or urban artillery. Some countries still use it as field artillery.[4] China originally deployed 12 Type 56 mortars per field division. The M-160 saw service during the Arab–Israeli conflict, including the Lebanese Civil War, with the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and by North Vietnamese Army in 1975 spring offensive during Vietnam War[6] [7]
Variants
- M-160 − Soviet divisonal mortar.
- Type 56 − Chinese copy of the M-160.
- T-54 with 160 mm mortar − An Iraqi modification of the T-54/T-55 tank, with the turret removed and replaced with a fixed superstructure with an enclosed M-160 mortar with limited traverse. Access doors were provided on the sides and rear of the superstructure and when travelling the mortar was left in horizontal position. It never entered Iraqi Army service in signifcant numbers.
Users
Current
Former
- − Produced locally as the Type 56
- − 4 in storage as of 2024
References
Bibliography
- Book: Defense Intelligence Agency . United States . Handbook on the Chinese Armed Forces . 1976 . Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence . 4 December 2024 . en.
- Book: Foss, Christopher F. . 1974 . Artillery of the World . Shepperton . Ian Allan . 0711005052.
- Book: Foss . Christopher F . Christopher F Foss . Jane's Armour and Artillery: 1994-95 . 1994 . Jane's Information Group . Surrey . 978-0-7106-1154-3 . 15th . en.
- . Chapter Four: Russia and Eurasia . The Military Balance . 12 February 2024 . 124 . 1 . 158–217 . 10.1080/04597222.2024.2298592 . 4 December 2024 . Taylor & Francis . en . 0459-7222 . .
- International Institute for Strategic Studies . Chapter Five: Asia . The Military Balance . 12 February 2024 . 124 . 1 . 218–327 . 10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 . 4 December 2024 . Taylor & Francis . en . 0459-7222 . .
- International Institute for Strategic Studies . Chapter Six: Middle East and North Africa . The Military Balance . 12 February 2024 . 124 . 1 . 328–395 . 10.1080/04597222.2024.2298594 . 4 December 2024 . Taylor & Francis . en . 0459-7222 . .
- International Institute for Strategic Studies . Chapter Seven: Latin America and the Caribbean . The Military Balance . 12 February 2024 . 124 . 1 . 396-457 . 10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595 . 4 December 2024 . Taylor & Francis . 0459-7222 . .
- Book: Jones . Richard D . Ness . Leland S . Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011 . 2010 . Jane's Information Group . Surrey . 978-0-7106-2908-1 . 36th. en.
Notes and References
- https://victorymuseum.ru/encyclopedia/technic/artilleriya/160-mm-divizionnyy-minomet-m-160-sssr/ 160-mm divisional mortar M-160
- https://www.qdnd.vn/45-mua-xuan-toan-thang/vai-tro-dac-biet-cua-ke-hoach-75b-616669 The special role of Plan 75B
- Foss (1974), p. 76.
- Encyclopedia: 160 mm M1943 and M-160 mortars. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002-2003. 3678–3679. 4 June 2001. Terry J.. Gander.
- http://tapchiqptd.vn/vi/ky-niem-45-nam-ngay-giai-phong-mien-nam/su-doan-320a-trong-chien-dich-tay-nguyen-1975/15248.html 320A Division in the Central Highlands Campaign 1975
- Infantry. November 1984. Soviet Mortars. 12–14. Scott R.. Gourley. David F.. McDermott. 74. 6.
- https://www.qdnd.vn/45-mua-xuan-toan-thang/vai-tro-dac-biet-cua-ke-hoach-75b-616669 The special role of Plan 75B