Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1193118
Acquisition (RSTA) squadrons we are dealing with 12 mortars (four 120 mm mortars on the Stryker vehicles, four 120 mm towed and four 81 mm towed mortars). Eighteen 155 mm howitzers act as a larger caliber means of support. Meanwhile, ABCT (Armored Brigade Combat Team) have, in total, only 18 self-propelled M1064 mortars and eighteen 155 mm Paladin self-propelled howitzers. The aforesaid artillery component seems to be quite modest when compared to the structure of the Russian forces. The Russian motorized and mechanized units have eighteen BM- 21 Grad MLRS (or derivatives), thirty-six 152 mm 2S3 Akatsia self-pro- pelled howitzers and eighteen 2S12 towed 120 mm mortars all placed in their inventory. In other brigades, support is provided by six BM-21 Grad systems, thirty-six 152 mm 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers (or derivatives thereof) and twelve 120 mm 2S34 Khosta self-propelled mortars. Engagement times do not really differ, between the units listed. They are similar for the Polish, US and Russian artillery elements, where- as one should note that in the latter case fire control system terminals have only been introduced on the individual vehicles. These terminals are also coupled with programmable radios. Earlier on, which may be shocking, automated command processes often involved transmissions of firing solutions being disseminated by the battery command vehicles with the use of voice communication over the radio. On the other hand, the progress we have witnessed in case of the Russian use of UAVs and battlefield surveillance radars is quite impressive. One should admit, it is impossible to claim that the Russian artillery component is inferior when placed against itsNATO counterpart. However, shorter range of the 152 present. Nevertheless, open crew compartments are a source of sever- al significant disadvantages. The above has not been left unnoticed by the Americans who are planning to replace the M1064 and M1129 with a turret mortar, featuring a fully automated loading and rounds storage system - a platform that would be a counterpart of the Polish RAK. This shows that the future belongs to designs of this very class. Mortars as a Part of the Fighting System Despite the fact that 120 mm mortars act as a battalion-level assets they are not placed in the vacuum. This is evident when one compares the artillery components at the brigade level in Poland, USA and Rus- sia. Polish motorized brigades operating the Rosomak APC have 24 122 mm self-propelled howitzers (or 152 mm) at their disposal, acting as means of support, in a structure of a self-propelled artillery battalion. Furthermore, the battalions also involve, in total, 18 towed 98 or 120 mm mortars. Ultimately, these are expected to be replaced by 24 or even 36 SMK120 RAK platforms. Polish mechanized brigades have a support structure that is virtually identical. However, 122 mm 2S1 (24 each) and 16 towed 98/120 mm mortars. It becomes even more interesting when one compares the Polish potential with the US Stryker brigades. The US forces, in case of the Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT), have around 50 (!) 120 mm mortars. 14 are used by three infantry battalions (42 in total). In case of the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target RAK www.fragoutmag.com