Humvee Hardware

Brit 120mm? :?

Can that thing be fired while vehicle mounted (in that position)?

It isn't British or 120mm. And yes, it supposedly can be fired while mounted in the vehicle.

Looks like a South African system.

 

Is that the "Scorpion" utilizing the Romanian 82mm round?

 

DeanSpeir said:

Is that the "Scorpion" utilizing the Romanian 82mm round?

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Picatinny has indeed dubbed the system the Scorpion, and it is chambered for the Warsaw Pact 82mm mortar round.

Who makes/made the mortar, and what makes it different from other mortar systems? FWIW: One of the 'licensed' manufacturers has offered it for the NATO standard 81mm.

Looks like a breech loaded mortar - is that right?

Al Thompson said:

Looks like a breech loaded mortar - is that right?

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Yes, it can be breech loaded, as well as muzzle loaded. (This particular mounting is probably a bit too tall for the latter.) The breech loading feature for this mortar offers a unique mode of operation when compared to other breech loading mortars.

The weapon in question is the Russian AM 2B9 Vasilek automatic mortar. The Hungarian make a version of their own (the DE 82), as do the Red Chinese (the W99). The opening in the right trunnion is to allow for the insertion of a clip holding four bombs, which can be fired at a cyclic rate of 170 rpm. The barrel can be depressed as low as -1 degrees for direct fire. A special AT round, which can penetrate ~4 inches of armor, is issued for use against enemy armor. The Hungarians offer a HEDP bomb with the same penteration capabilities.

You can view some pictures of the Vasilek and its 4rd clip at:
http://www.aeronautics.ru/img002/chechnyamilartillery01.htm

Interesting Dan, but where can I buy one?

LIProgun said:

Interesting Dan, but where can I buy one?

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Eastern Europe would be the safest bet for a used model, with China as a backup for one factory fresh. You could probably even get some for free if you don't mind the risk of losing your head in Iraq or Afghanistan.