Philippine Army deploying new M113A2 Armored Mortar Carrier in 3rd Infantry Division area.

As reported on its Facebook page by Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers echoed by Defense Studies, the Philippine Army through its Armor Division is deploying its new Armored Mortar Carrier (AMC) with Soltam Cardom 120mm Mortar System installed on an M113A2 APC to 6th Cavalry Company Separate, supporting the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division area, Defense Studies reports.
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M113A2 Armored Mortar Carrier with Soltam Cardom 120mm mortar (Picture source: Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers)

M113A2 AMC is armed with a smooth-bore, muzzle-loaded 120mm mortar equipped with an automatic pointing system incorporating an electric drive system for elevation and traverse. It can be indirectly fired at a rapid rate which is 12 rounds per minute, or at a sustained rate of 3-4 rounds per minute.

The Cardom (Hatchet) is an Israeli 81 mm/120 mm Recoil Mortar System (RMS), manufactured by Soltam Systems. It is used by the US Army, the Israel Defence Forces, NATO countries, and others. It is an autonomous, computerized system for mounting on light and medium armored carriers. The system uses a new Computerized Integrated Navigation and Self Positioning and Aiming systems. Its modern Target Acquisition Devices together with a specially designed Recoiling Mortar System, attenuates the firing loads and enables mounting the systems on wheeled and tracked AFVs, or even soft-skinned vehicles such as trucks. The Cardom Aiming mechanisms are linked to state-of-the-art command, control and communication systems, to achieve quick response automatic laying mode. The IDF-delivered Cardom system takes target acquisition data, that provides range, bearing, position and other data from an observation point and transmits it directly to the Cardom system. Using electrical servo motors the mortar barrel is then set at the exact traverse and elevation angles ready for firing.

Performance

Range: 7,000-8,000 meters. Caliber: 120/81mm smoothbore and rifled. Maximum rate of fire: 16 rounds per minute. Traverse: 360°. Shoot of first round in less than 30 seconds. Crew: 2-4 depending on the carrier. Dual-mode : mounted and dismounted.

M113A2 Armored Mortar Carrier with Soltam Cardom 120mm mortar (Picture source: Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers)

M113A2 Armored Mortar Carrier with Soltam Cardom 120mm mortar (Picture source: Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers)