South Africa unveils new Springbuck SD 120mm self-propelled mortar armed with Aselsan’s Alkar system.

At the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition, South African company DCD Protected Mobility introduced a new variant of its Springbuck Standard Duty (SD) Multipurpose Armored Vehicle (MPAV), called the Double Cab. This vehicle, designed to integrate with various weapon systems, was armed with the Alkar 120mm mortar system from Turkish company Aselsan. Compatible with all types of mortar ammunition, this new self-propelled mortar offers an effective range of up to 8,000 meters, rapid firing capabilities, and advanced targeting systems for precise engagement.
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The Springbuck SD MPAV Double Cab is a mine-protected armored vehicle capable of withstanding blasts equivalent to 8 kg of TNT, thanks to a V-shaped hull design. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Springbuck SD MPAV Double Cab is a mine-protected armored vehicle focused on achieving a balance of protection, mobility, and versatility across diverse operational settings. It features comprehensive ballistic and blast protection for occupant safety during missions. Its standard ballistic protection is rated at EN 1522 Level B6, providing resistance to small arms fire.

The vehicle also offers blast protection certified to STANAG 4569 Level 3a and 3b standards, capable of withstanding blasts equivalent to 8 kg of TNT. A V-shaped hull design enhances crew and driveline safety by deflecting explosive forces. Optional features include a weapon station available in both remote and manual configurations and an Automatic Fire Extinguishing System (AFES) for the cabin and engine bay, which can be activated either automatically or manually.

In terms of mobility, the vehicle includes front and rear tow points and comes with a steel tow bar for recovery operations. An optional 22,000-pound electric winch and an A-frame can replace the tow bar for enhanced recovery capabilities in challenging situations. The suspension system consists of semi-elliptical robust leaf springs with telescopic double-acting shock absorbers to ensure stability over various terrains. The vehicle is designed for easy transport, featuring lifting and tie-down points, while power-assisted steering improves maneuverability.

The Springbuck SD offers versatility in its design, seating up to five occupants in a standard 2+2 configuration with an additional standing gunner position. It provides a lockable tool bin for essential equipment and a large storage space under the load bin for mission-specific gear. Cabin access is facilitated by three side doors and a roof hatch, ensuring easy entry and exit. Platform-type fenders and bumpers allow convenient access to the engine bay for maintenance.

The vehicle is capable of handling rugged terrain, crossing trenches up to 850 mm wide, climbing 400 mm steps, managing a 40% side slope, and navigating inclines and declines of up to 60% and 70%, respectively. It also has a fording depth capability of 900 mm, making it suitable for various conditions. These capabilities position the Springbuck SD as a flexible option for defense operations that require mobility, protection, and adaptability.

A notable feature of the Springbuck SD Double Cab is its compatibility with multiple weapon systems, including light anti-air defense systems, heavy machine gun platforms, and the Alkar 120mm mortar system. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

A notable feature of the Springbuck SD is its compatibility with multiple weapon systems, including light anti-air defense systems, heavy machine gun platforms, and the Alkar 120mm mortar system from the Turkish company Aselsan. The Alkar system, featuring a 120 mm rifled barrel, offers an effective range between 1,500 and 8,000 meters and is compatible with all types of mortar ammunition. This flexibility enables the vehicle to fulfill roles such as surveillance and direct engagement, and it can also be configured as a cargo bay, mobile workshop, or other specialized platforms.

The Alkar is a modern 120mm mortar system designed and developed by Aselsan, featuring subsystems like an automatic barrel orientation system, an automatic ammunition loading system, a recoil mechanism, and several fire control systems, all integrated into a turret. It supports various 120 mm rifled and smoothbore mortar barrels, making it suitable for different platforms, including tracked vehicles, tactical wheeled vehicles, and fixed installations. Its recoil mechanism significantly reduces the force transmitted to the platform during firing, allowing integration into a wide array of vehicles.

The automatic ammunition loading system offers precise, rapid, and safe loading, compatible with ammunition types such as MOD209, MOD226, MOD236, and MOD227. The system can automatically orient the barrel based on calculated firing commands, ensuring accuracy. An inertial positioning system provides accurate positional data, including barrel orientation, with the route displayed on a map. The user interface is mission-oriented, colored, and graphical.

The Alkar system includes the NATO Armaments Ballistic Kernel (NABK) for fast and accurate ballistic calculations, an initial velocity measurement capability, and the ability to receive meteorological data via digital communication. This data ensures accurate ballistic calculations for mortar firing tasks. The system can display battlefield elements on a digital map and operate in conjunction with the ADOP-2000 system, integrating with Forward Observers, Target Detection Radars, and TOMES Meteorological Systems. Firing can be conducted manually or automatically, with an emergency stop feature available.

The technical specifications of the Alkar 120 mm Mortar Weapon System include a 120 mm rifled barrel with an effective range of 1,500 to 8,000 meters. The barrel length is 1,900 mm, and the recoil force is less than 25 tons. The system can be made ready for firing in under one minute and prepared for redeployment in under 10 seconds. Firing restrictions include a lateral range of ± 3200 mils and an elevation range between 800 and 1200 mils, depending on the barrel type. The system measures 1,450 mm in width, 2,450 mm in length, and 1,100 mm in height.

The Alkar 120 mm Mortar Weapon System includes a 120 mm rifled barrel with an effective range of 1,500 to 8,000 meters. (Picture source: Army Recognition)