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Aselsan successfully tests AHS-120 mortar launch system
Turkey’s state-owned news agency Anadolu Agency reports of Aselsan announcing that it has successfully tested its AHS-120 – re-designated ALKAR – mortar firing system on December 05.
Revealed during the 2017 International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in February, the Aselsan ALKAR is a turret for launching 120 mm mortar from mobile carriers or from fixed positions.
Aselsan’s objective with the AHS-120 program was to change the process firing mortar shells towards an automated procure utilizing modern targeting systems and increasing both safety and effectiveness.
The ALKAR consists of an automatic barrel laying system, automatic ammunition load system, recoil mechanism and fire control system. Aselsan says that the launcher can deploy “any kind” of rifled or smoothbore mortar barrel, including those made outside of Turkey.
The ALKAR turret can turn 360 degrees and operate in day or night, all terrains and weather conditions.
As a module for self-propelled mortar carriers, the ALKAR’s recoil mechanism reduces the force endured by the platform when shooting. This enables prospective end-users to fit the ALKAR to a diverse range of vehicles, including potentially lighter wheeled vehicles.
The ALKAR’s electronics suite can provide ballistic calculation (using NATO’s Armaments Ballistic Kernel), measure muzzle velocity, display information about the battlefield and integrate with targeting radars, meteorological systems and forward observer systems.
Notes & Comments:
Aselsan has been developing an ecosystem of sensors and weapons for an integrated and multi-layered artillery solution for the Turkish Armed Forces. The ALKAR, with its automated and network-enabled targeting, is intended to join Aselsan’s SERHAT Counter Mortar Radar, STR Weapon Locating Radar System, KMO 155mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer and Boran 105 mm lightweight towed howitzer. These systems are in varying stages of development, with the STR being the farthest from coming to fruition. However, having shown prototypes during IDEF 2017, testing of the KMO and Boran could occur in the near-term.
Regarding the ALKAR specifically, its availability will also set the basis for Turkey to operate guided 120 mm mortar shells. Solutions analogous to the U.S. Guided Enhanced Fragmentation Mortar (GEFM) would see the Turkish Army deploy mortar shells with reduced CEP (circular error probable), which could amount to a significant gain in its counterinsurgency operations in mountainous areas.
6 Comments
by Mohsin Ali
Good machine.
Is there any possibility that maybe Pakistan buy this system?
by sami shahid
Awesome lol…. Pakistan should buy few of these and deploy them in AK
by TZK
Defeats the primary purpose of a mortar as a light infantry weapon for short range infantry support. I suppose this is the next stage in mortar development. The article does not give its range but if you can get within mortar range of the enemy with this weapon you are at risk from infantry anti-tank weapons and I would rather have a tank with thicker armour than this.
by Joseph
Mortar is mostly a light infantry weapon, a car mount variant is created due to US’s experience of fighting Taliban in Afghanistan.
These things are almost only usefully to fight insurgents in mountain areas, that is why it is usually installed on vehicles with light armors, enough to defend against AK47, IED and handhold rockets. Other than that, it is almost useless in modern warfare.
by TZK
The trajectory of the mortar shell is useful in mountainous or densely forested regions where direct line of fire is not possible. Rather than a self propelled mortar a large self loading unit could be designed for towing.
by TZK
Looks like Turkey already produces a 120mm towed mortar , the French MO-120-RT-61.
https://stateofguns.com/mo-120-rt-61-mortar-504/#.Wi7Mp0x2tPY
Looks like a useful weapon system.