Tatra unveils new self-propelled 120mm mortar on Pandur II CZ
During the NATO Days in Czech Republic, Tatra Defence Vehicle has presented a self-propelled mortar vehicle, a new variant in the Pandur II CZ 8x8 armoured vehicle family. Tatra has developed this vehicle to response to a new request of the Czech army for a fire support vehicle.
New Pandur II CZ 8x8 armoured in 120mm self-propelled martra carrier configuration at NATO Days in Czech Republic (Photo source Armyweb CZ)
In 2006, General Dynamics announced that the Czech Republic has selected its European Land Combat Systems subsidiary Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH of Austria to supply its army with 199 new eight-wheeled Pandur II armored personnel carriers (APCs) between 2007-2012.
The Czech army is equipped with six versions of the Pandur II CZ including, APC , command post, reconnaissance (in two modifications - with and without a radar), engineer and medical vehicles.
The Pandur II CZ in mortar configuration is fitted with a Soltam Cardom 120 mm caliber mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The Cardom is an autonomous, computerized 120mm recoil mortar system for mounting on light and medium armoured tracked carriers and wheeled armoured vehicles.
The 120mm Soltam Cardom mortar system has a traverse of 360°, it can fire from inside or from outside of the vehicle. In the vehicle, it fires through tow roof hatches, that open on each side of the vehicle.
It has a maximum firing range of 6,800 meters with a rate of intense fire is 16 rounds per minute, however rate of sustained fire. A first round can be fired within 30 seconds from travelling. A total of 50 rounds of ammunition are stored inside the vehicle.
The Pandur II CZ 120mm mortar could be fitted with a battlefield information management system, which links up with other similarly equipped vehicles and command posts. A digital fire control system can be integrated with navigation, self-positioning and aiming systems. The fire control system can operate in automatic laying mode, once it receives target data from an observation position.