New NORINCO 6x6 self-propelled 120mm howiter mortar SM6 at Zhuhai AirShow China 2016 10911163.

The SM6 120mm self-propelled howitzer/mortar is the export version of the WMA029 developed by NORINCO. The vehicle can be used to perform direct and indirect fire.

The SM6 has a all-welded steel hull and turret which provide protection against firing of small arms and shell splinters. The driver and commander are seated at the front of the vehicle with the turret fitted on the top center of the hull.

The SM6 has a crew of four including driver, commander, gunner and loader. It has a total weight of 16,500 kg. Mai armament of the SM6 consists of one 120mm rifled gun-mortar and one 12,7mm machine gun mounted on the roof of the turret.

The SM6 can fire a full range of ammunition including HE (High-Explosive) projectiles, HE mortar bombs, HEAT (High-explosive Anti-Tank) projectiles. The mortar/gun has an elevation range of -4°~+80°, and an azimuth range of 360° (in contrast to the +/-35° azimuth range of the 2S23). The maximum range is 9.5km when firing the howitzer projectile, 8.5km when firing the mortar projectile, and 1.2km when firing the HEAT projectile.

The SM6 is based on the 6x6 wheeled chassis of the WMZ551 which is motorized with a DEUTZ BF8L413FC air-cooled diesel engine coupled to a ZF5S 111GPA mechanical transmission with synchronizer. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km.