- Yes
- No
The M120K Rak was developed as part of Poland’s efforts to equip Rosomak-based mechanized units with a modern self-propelled mortar system. Work on the project began in 2004, when the Missile Forces and Artillery branch of the Polish Armed Forces proposed introducing a new mortar for battalion combat groups. From the beginning, the program focused on creating a modular turret system capable of being mounted on both wheeled and tracked platforms. Initially, development was funded internally by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW).
Development progressed rapidly, and by 2009 the first tracked demonstrator had been completed. At the same time, work continued on the wheeled Rosomak-based variant that would later become the M120K. On 1 October 2009, HSW and the Polish Ministry of Defence signed a research and development agreement covering the “Company Fire Module of 120 mm Self-Propelled Mortars”, officially designated Rak.
Prototypes of both the tracked and wheeled variants were completed in 2010. During development and testing, the system underwent a number of changes, including revisions to the turret layout, reduced turret dimensions, modifications to the autoloader and ammunition storage system, changes to turret drives, and updates to the sighting equipment. Additional improvements included the introduction of a recoil measurement system and forced barrel ventilation after firing. Testing continued through 2011–2013, with further adjustments made before the Rosomak-based configuration reached production readiness in 2015.
Unlike conventional mortar carriers, the M120K employed a fully enclosed turret fitted with a 120 mm automatic breech-loaded mortar. Mounted on the Rosomak chassis, the system combined high mobility with digital fire control and integration into modern command and battlefield management systems made it a quite effective solution for the modern battle field
More on history
Serial production began in 2016 through a consortium formed by HSW and Rosomak S.A. The first production contract covered eight complete Rak Company Fire Modules consisting of 64 self-propelled mortars and accompanying command vehicles for delivery to the Polish Armed Forces. Additional contracts followed in later years, expanding production and deployment.
The M120K Rak has became one of Poland’s most important domestically developed artillery systems, combining the mobility of the Rosomak platform with an automated turreted mortar system designed in Poland, many things were learned from developing this vehicle and are being integrated into modern solutions, one example being the M69 Rak, which uses new solutions learned from the previous mistakes of the old turret, and combines it with the brand new Borsuk chassis.
Word on the street is that HSW is planning to use its experience with the Raks autoloader to manufacture and design the automatic loading system for the Krab 2
Summarised Characteristics
- Crew (3)
- Driver, gunner, commander
- 120mm breech-loaded mortar system
- Ammo:
- RAK-HE-1
- 120 MM NABÓJ MOŹDZIERZOWY Z POCISKIEM DYMNYM
- APR-120
- Elevation: -3/+80°
- Ammo:
- Fire rate: 6-8 rds/m
- Commander Periscope
- 2nd Gen thermals (Gunner thermals)
- Gunner sight
- 2nd Gen thermals
- LWS Obra 3
- Laser Rangefinder
- 8x 81mm Dezamet Smoke Grenade Launchers
- Combat weight: 24500 kg
- Engine: Scania DI 12 49 A 03 P
- Max speed: 80 km/h
Armament
- 120mm breech-loaded mortar system
- Elevation: -3° to +80°
- Fire rate: 6-8 rds/m
- Ammo capacity: Ready racked 20 rounds in autoloader magazine
- Total ammunition capacity: 46 (26 additional in ammo storage compartment)
- Ammo feeding: Magazine Feed
- Anti-aircraft machine gun: 7.62 mm UKM-2000D
Ammunition
RAK-HE-1
- Type: High-explosive
- Explosive: TNT
- Cartridge weight [kg]: 19.20
- Projectile weight [kg]: 16.00
- Length [mm]: 798
- Initial speed at full load [m/s]: 503
- Min/max range [m]: 800/10 250
- Min. shooting distance on a flat track (straight) [m]: 150
120 MM NABÓJ MOŹDZIERZOWY Z POCISKIEM DYMNYM
- Type: Smoke
- Cartridge weight [kg]: 17.10
- Projectile weight [kg]: 14.36
- Initial speed at full load [m/s]: 360
- Max range [m]: >= 7500 m
- Smoking time [s]: min 140
APR-120
The Rak is also planned to be equipped with the APR 120, wich is a 120 mm laser-guided precision mortar munition designed for engaging armored vehicles at long range. Weighing 16.8 kg, the projectile has a maximum range of up to 8 km and uses a haped-charge warhead (HEAT) capable of penetrating more than 200 mm of armor. Guidance is provided via semi-active laser homing, allowing the round to accurately strike targets designated by a laser illuminator.
Mobility
- Crew (4): Driver, Commander, Gunner, Loader
- Engine: Scania DI 12 49 A 03 P
- power: 360 kW / ≈489 PS @ 2100 rpm
- Max torque: 1974 Nm @ 1500 rpm
- Transmission: ZF 7HP902 S Ecomat
- Gears: 7 forward, 1 reverse
- Max speed: 80 km/h
- Combat weight: 24500 kg
Armour
- Hull Front: Level IV
- Sides and back: Level III
Hull is made of 8 mm of ARMSTAL 500 (HHA) and front from ARMSTAL 550 while floor is made of ARMSTAL 450
Side panels mounted on the hull are made of 6mm ARMSTAL 500 with 35mm air gap which can be filled with foam to enchance protection
(educational cross-sections of the KTO Rosomak chassis)
- Turret armour: Level I
Other
- Gunner optic: ZIG-T-2
-
Vertical guidance speed:???
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Thermal camera
- 2-nd generation
- Resolution: 640×480 px
- Pixel size: 17 μm
- Wide FOV: 10º
- Narrow FOV: 6°
- Day camera
- Resolution: 1440×1080 px
- Wide FOV: 23º
- Narrow FOV: -2º
-
Laser Range finder
-
Laser warning system: OBRA-3
- Detection angular range in vertical plane: -6°/+30°
- Detection angular range in horizontal plane: 360°
- Dange of detected radiation: 0.6 μm – 11 μm.
-
(2x4) 81mm Dezamet Smoke Grenade Launchers
-
Length: 7.7 m
-
Width: 2.83 m
-
Height: 3.15 m
Pictures/Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTvPVjH4gnc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlR8MMcYe3g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlyzYcSXU6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ZCwkbVkgo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6SooKdyg-E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WgxTkpQiXQ
Sources
Moździerze samobieżne M120K – Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.
HSW Catalogue Of Products ( 2013) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
AMUNICJA MOŹDZIERZOWA – Produkty - Dezamet.pl
Moździerz samobieżny Rak zgodnie z planem - Wydawnictwo militarne ZBIAM
Nowa partia amunicji do moździerzy M120K Rak – MILMAG
Laser Guided Munitions. Is the Polish Artillery Going to Remain Blind?
