M106 mortar carrier
The M106 mortar carrier (full designation: Carrier, Mortar, 107 mm, Self-propelled) was a tracked, self-propelled artillery vehicle in service with the United States Army. It was designed to provide artillery support to mechanized infantry battalions. It was replaced with the M1064 mortar carrier.[2]
| M106 mortar carrier | |
|---|---|
| Type | Mortar carrier |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | see operators |
| Wars | Vietnam War Lebanese Civil War[citation needed] |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | FMC Corp.[1] |
| Variants | XM106, M106, M106A1, M106A2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12.9 short tons (11.7 t) |
| Length | 16.2 feet (4.9 m) |
| Width | 9 feet (2.7 m) |
| Height | 7.3 feet (2.2 m) |
| Crew | 6[2] |
| Armor | 5083 Aluminum |
Main armament | M30 4.2in (106.7mm) mortar |
Secondary armament | M2 Browning |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel 6V53T 210 horsepower (160 kW) |
| Payload capacity | 88 rounds (HE, Illumination, White Phosphorus) |
| Transmission | Allison X200-4 series |
| Ground clearance | 16.5 inches (42 cm) |
| Fuel capacity | 90 US gallons (340 L) |
Operational range | 250 nautical miles (460 km) |
History
The M106 is a variation of the M113 armored personnel carrier that carried a 107mm M30 mortar. It was introduced in 1964, alongside the similar M125 81mm mortar carrier, and deployed in Vietnam.[3] Three variants existed: the M106, the M106A1 and the M106A2. 862 M106 (including 841 for US forces), 1,409 M106A1 (including 990 for US forces) and 350 M106A2 (including 53 for the US forces) were produced.[2]
After intensive trials in 1988, the US Army chose to replace it with the 120mm Soltam K6. Some of the M106 carriers were upgraded to the M1064A3 configuration by replacing the 107mm mortar by a 120mm mortar.[2]
Operators
- Argentina: 25 M106A2[4]
- Egypt: 65 M106A1 and 35 M106A2[5]
- Greece[6]
- Peru: 24 M106A1[7]
- Libya[8]
- Morocco: 32-36 M106A2[9]
- Norway: 24[10]
- Portugal: 18[11]
- Taiwan: 90 M106A2[12]
- Vietnam: Captured from Vietnam War
Former operators
- Switzerland: M106 with a 120mm mortar, known as 12 cm Mw Pz 64 (Minenwerferpanzer 64) and 12 cm Mw Pz 64/91. 132 bought, retired from service in 2009.[13][14]
- United States[15]
- Italy: M106 with a 120mm mortar
See also
References
- ^ Defense Industry Bulletin, August 1967, p. 33.
- ^ a b c d Foss, Christopher F. (27 November 2001). "United Defense LP M113 armoured personnel carrier family". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002-2003.
- ^ Prenatt, Jamie (30 Nov 2017). M113 APC 1960–75: US, ARVN, and Australian variants in Vietnam. New Vanguard 252. p. 10. ISBN 9781472817464.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. p. 376. ISBN 9781857438352.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 324.
- ^ Tsiliopoulos, E. (November 10, 2014). "US granted armored vehicles arrive in Greece". New Greek TV.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 410.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 342.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 345.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 125.
- ^ "Viaturas Militares Portuguesas: Auto Blindado Lagartas M106A1/A2 m/1978/1980/1989 c/morteiro 107 mm". Viaturas Militares Portuguesas. 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ The Military Balance 2016, p. 291.
- ^ "120 mm Model 64 mortar in M106 mortar carrier". Jane's Infantry Weapons 1994-1995. 27 April 1994. pp. 4523–4524.
- ^ Oetterli, Markus (September 2018). "Indirekte Feuerunterstützung auf kurze Distanz" (PDF). Allgemeine Schweizerische Militärzeitschrift (in German). pp. 24–25.
- ^ Foss, Christopher F. (15 June 1998). "Inventory - Armour and artillery in service, United States of America". Jane's Armour and Artillery 1998-99.
External links
Media related to M106 mortar carriers at Wikimedia Commons