Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1220268
that would make it possible to fire rounds within a full range of elevation and azimuth angles - thus allowing for direct fire. It was also assumed that the turret would feature an automated ammunition storage system and an auto-loader that would be able to load the mortar regardless of the elevation angle. The project was uniquely ambitious. Initially it was funded by HSW on its own. However, as early as in 2007 an agreement was concluded by and between HSW and the MSHE, on funding of a targeted project, entitled "120 mm self-propelled mortar, wheeled or tracked". Tech designs were being developed until 2007. In July 2008 the first test firing of the mortar as a standalone artillery asset took place. By the end of 2008 a technology demonstrator was created. It came in a form of a turret module placed on the 2S1 Gvozdika platform adopted to accommodate the new system. The progress and refinements implemented have both made it possible to ultimately conclude a procurement contract by and between HSW and the MoD - it concerned a prototype fire module. CPW HSW S.A. and the Polish Ministry of Defense signed an agreement on 30th September 2009, aimed at finalizing a development effort. It was entitled "Company-level Fire Module of 120 mm Self-Propelled Mortars, Codename RAK". The agreement had a value of 60.9 million zlotys with finalization deadline set in late 2012. The work assigned assumed that prototypes as follows would be developed: • M120K with a modified Rosomak APC as the base platform, • M120G with a modified 2S1 chassis as the base platform, • Company-level command vehicle, on a wheeled platform. Between 2010 and 2013 new designs were being refined. This resulted in a number of changes, starting from the turret structure, to finish with the equipment of the vehicles. Apart from HSW S.A., playing the role of the leading entity, a number of domestic defense industry players was also involved in the project, including: • WZM S.A. (currently – Rosomak S.A.), being responsible for the mortar and command vehicle carrier platform. • AMZ-Kutno, responsible for the carrier of the artillery reconnaissance vehicle. • Arex, responsible for the control systems. • Etronika, responsible for the targeting systems. • Jelcz Komponenty, delivering the logistics support vehicle platforms. • Radiotechnika Marketing, delivering the power-supply systems. • WB Electronics, providing the C2 suite. Originally, the MoD expressed a demand for 8 battalion-level M120K modules at least. Each of the modules was to consist of 12 mortars in 3 platoons, 4 vehicles in each platoon. The whole demand concerned 96 M120K mortars, 60 command vehicles, 36 reconnaissance vehicles, 36 ammunition carriers and 12 repair/workshop vehicles. Those numbers were directly derived from the operational program named "Modernization of the Rocket and Artillery Component" contained within the "2013-2022 Polish Armed Forces' Technical Modernization Plan". Originally the work was to be finalized in 2012. Then the deadline was postponed, to 2013, 2014 and, www.fragoutmag.com