Soltam K6

{{Infobox weapon |name=Soltam K6 mortar | image= File:160808-F-VH066-018.jpg | image_size = 300 |caption= |origin= Israel |type= Mortar  |is_ranged=yes |is_bladed= |is_explosive= |is_artillery=yes |is_vehicle=  |service= |used_by= See below |wars=  |designer= |design_date= |manufacturer= |production_date= |number= |variants=  |weight= {{Convert|144.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |length= |part_length= |crew=5  |cartridge= |caliber={{convert|120|mm|in}} |action= |rate= 16 RPM max, 4 RPM sustained |velocity= |range= {{Convert|7,240|m|yd}} |max_range= |feed= manual |sights=  |breech= |recoil= |carriage= |elevation= |traverse=  |blade_type= |hilt_type= |head_type= |haft_type=  |diameter= |filling= |filling_weight= |detonation= |yield= }}

The '''Soltam K6''' is a 120 mm (4.75 inch) mortar that was developed by Soltam Systems of Israel. It is the long-range version of the Soltam K5<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html |title=Soltam K5 and K6 120 mm light mortars (Israel), Mortars |publisher=Jane's |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426183845/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 |access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref> and has replaced older systems, such as the {{convert|107|mm|in|adj=on}} M30, in several armies, including the United States Army. It is much lighter than the M30, has a greater range, and can sustain a rate of fire of four rounds per minute, while the M30 could sustain only three.

== Design overview == The K6 fires fin-stabilized ammunition from a smoothbore 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 projectile in flight. Although heavy mortars require trucks or tracked mortar carriers to move them, they are still much lighter than field artillery pieces. They outrange light and medium mortars, and their explosive power is much greater. An improved version is known as the '''K6A3'''.

High-explosive rounds fired by the M120 weigh about {{convert|31|lb|kg|abbr=on}} and can have a lethality radius of {{convert|225|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://www.sofmag.com/making-the-mortar-smarter/ MAKING THE MORTAR SMARTER] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530233812/https://www.sofmag.com/making-the-mortar-smarter/ |date=30 May 2015 }} - Sofmag.com, 26 May 2015</ref>

== History and deployment == thumb thumb|M934A1 high-explosive round with propellant rings

The K6 entered service with the United States Army in 1991 as the '''M120 Mortar System'''. Its mission is to provide heavy-weapon, high-angle organic indirect fire support to the unit commander. The M120 is used by both mechanized units and light infantry in certain situations. Another feature of the M120 is the M303 sub-caliber insert, which allows the mortar to fire 81 mm ammunition.

The M120 is transported on the M1100 trailer by the M998 Humvee. The version that is mounted on the M1064 and M1129 mortar carriers is known as the '''M121'''.

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/baes-m326-mss-mortar-in-mortar-out-mortar-on-04073/|title=BAEs M326 MSS: Mortar In, Mortar Out, Mortar On|access-date=2016-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925024713/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/baes-m326-mss-mortar-in-mortar-out-mortar-on-04073/|archive-date=25 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2016, Elbit Systems announced it was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract for the production of the M121<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elbitamerica.com/news/u.s.-army-contract-for-mortar-weapon-systems|title=Elbit Systems of America Receives U.S. Army Contract for Mortar Weapon Systems|access-date=2017-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116175001/http://www.elbitsystems-us.com/sites/default/files/news-releases/Elbit%20Systems%20of%20America%20receives%20contract%20for%20Mortar%20Weapon%20Systems.pdf|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Components ==

The M120 mortar system consists of the following major components: * M298 cannon assembly – {{convert|50|kg|abbr=on}} * M190 bipod assembly – {{convert|32|kg|abbr=on}} * M9 baseplate – {{convert|62|kg|abbr=on}} * M1100 trailer – {{convert|181|kg|abbr=on}} * M67 sight unit – {{convert|1.1|kg|abbr=on}}

The M120 is capable of firing the following munitions: * XM395 precision guided munition * M929 smoke cartridge (White Phosphorus)<ref>120mm Mortar Smoke Cartridge http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907222142/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm |date=7 September 2009 }}</ref> * XM930 illumination round ** XM930E1 illumination round * XM931 practice round * M933 high-explosive round ** M933A1 high-explosive round * M934 high-explosive round ** M934A1 high-explosive round * XM983 Infrared (IR) illumination round

==Operators==  *{{flag|Armenia}}: 12; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|183}} *{{flag|Bolivia}}: ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|404}} *{{flag|Denmark}}: 20<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|99}} *{{flag|Georgia}}: 18<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|189}} *{{DEU}}: ''M120R1 under license''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-14 |title=Rheinmetall modernisiert Mörser 120 mm und liefert Munition - bundeswehr-journal |url=https://www.bundeswehr-journal.de/2022/rheinmetall-modernisiert-moerser-120-mm-und-liefert-munition/ |access-date=2025-09-20 |language=en}}</ref> *{{flag|Iraq}}: 450; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|353}} *{{flag|Israel}} *{{flag|Kazakhstan}} ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|191}} *{{flag|Latvia}}: 25; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|122}} *{{flag|Myanmar}}:80<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|296}} *{{flag|Poland}}: 142; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|134}} *{{UKR}}: 30; ''M120'' variant donated by the United States in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |title=SIPRI Arms Transfers Database {{!}} SIPRI |url=https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers |website=www.sipri.org |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=27 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> *{{flag|United States}}: 1,076 ''M120'' and ''M1064A3'' variants as of January 2025<ref name="Military Balance 2025">{{cite book |title=The Military Balance |date=2025 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies |isbn=978-1-041-04967-8}}</ref>{{rp|37}}<ref name="Military Balance 2020">{{cite book |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |year=2020 |title=The Military Balance |volume=120 |publisher=Routlegde |isbn=978-0-367-46639-8}}</ref>{{rp|48}}

== See also == * 120 Krh/40 – The Finnish weapon that served as the basis for Soltam M-65 and K6 * Cardom 120 mm recoil mortar system * M1064 mortar carrier – M113 series vehicle fitted with M121 120 mm mortar * M1129 mortar carrier – Stryker series vehicle fitted with M121 120 mm mortar * Soltam M-65 120 mm mortar * M327 – 120 mm towed mortar used the USMC * List of U.S. military vehicles by model number

==References== <references/>

==External links== {{Commons category|Soltam M-120 mortars}}

* [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pocket+artillery.(Infantry:+mortars)-a0146354592 Pocket artillery] * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m120.htm M120 120mm Mortar] * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-90/ch7.htm M120 Field Manual] *

Category:Mortars of the United States Category:Mortars of Israel Category:Infantry mortars Category:120 mm mortars Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s