The German Armed Forces has contracted with Rheinmetall to produce 120mm mortar ammunition and modernize its mortar methods. Booked in 2021, the order represents gross quantity of round €27 million in whole. Rheinmetall possesses intensive experience within the area of oblique hearth, and presents a whole vary of 120mm, 81mm and 60mm ammunition households. The Group’s additionally makes mortar hearth management methods and mortars just like the 120mm Ragnarök mortar weapon system and the progressive RSG60 60mm mortar, launched as not too long ago as 2019.
Rheinmetall Norway has developed to the prototype stage its MWS 120 Ragnarok 120 mm turntable mounted mortar system. The weapon, developed with inner funding, is designed for potential German and export clients. It’s at the moment at Expertise Readiness Stage 7 (TRL 7) as 80% of the elements are widespread with the in-service 81 mm system, referred to as MWS 81, which is already deployed by the Norwegian Military. The MWS 120’s recoil system is a mixed hydraulic and gasoline system, with gasoline used for the return of the recoiling mass.
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Rheinmetall additionally has developed the brand new RSG60 60mm mortar, which can be utilized by each infantry and Particular Forces. The 15.8kg normal infantry model of the RSG60 might be configured right into a 6.8kg commando mortar variant in round 30s with some handbook changes. The usual variant is able to reaching a spread of as much as 3,200m, primarily based on the kind of ammunition and fees which are used. It will possibly additionally present a spread of as much as 3,700m when outfitted with a 30cm-long barrel. Rheinmetall aimed to design a light-weight, future-oriented weapon system with a deal with pace and ergonomics.
In the midst of the modernization, which is to be accomplished by 2023, Rheinmetall is upgrading the Bundeswehr’s 120mm mortars, which is able to allow them to fireplace new technology (NG) mortar rounds. This entails including obturation rings to the tubes. As a part of this order, Rheinmetall has already equipped the Bundeswehr with DM75 NG multispectral mortar rounds and DM56 NG infrared illumination mortar rounds in 2021. The newest Bundeswehr order is a reminder of Rheinmetall’s position as a number one provider of oblique hearth methods.
