New African self-propelled mortar: a tank with a 120 mm mortar from Turkey's Aselsan

At the Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) 2024 exhibition, the South African company DCD Protected Mobility presented a new version of its multi-purpose armored of the Springbuck Standard Duty (SD) car called Double Cab. This vehicle, designed to integrate with various weapons systems, was armed with a 120 mm Alkar mortar from the Turkish company Aselsan. This new self-propelled mortar, compatible with all types of mortar ammunition, provides an effective firing range of up to 8,000 meters, rapid fire capability and advanced targeting systems for precision engagement.

Springbuck SD MPAV Double Cab — is a mine-resistant armored vehicle that focuses on achieving a balance of protection, mobility and versatility in various operating conditions. It has comprehensive ballistic and explosive protection for passenger safety during missions. Its standard ballistic protection meets EN 1522 Level B6, which provides resistance to small arms fire.

The car also offers STANAG 4569 level 3a and 3b explosion protection, capable of withstanding an explosion equivalent to 8 kg of TNT. The V-shaped hull design increases the safety of the crew and transmission. Additional features include a weapons station, available in both remote and manual configurations, and an Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFES) for the cockpit and engine compartment that can be activated automatically or manually.

In terms of mobility, the vehicle has front and rear towing points as well as a steel towing device for evacuation operations. An optional 22,000-pound electric winch and A-frame can replace the tow rig for improved recovery capabilities in difficult situations. The suspension system consists of semi-elliptic heavy-duty leaf springs with double-action telescopic shock absorbers to ensure stability on various surfaces. The vehicle is designed for easy transport, has lifting and tie-down points, and power steering improves maneuverability.

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The Springbuck SD offers versatility in its design, accommodating up to five passengers in a standard 2+2 configuration with an additional standing gunner's berth. It has a lockable tool compartment for essential equipment and a large storage space under the cargo compartment for mission equipment. Access to the cabin is facilitated by three side doors and a hatch in the roof. Platform-type fenders and bumpers provide easy access to the engine compartment for maintenance.

The car is able to overcome rough terrain, overcome trenches up to 850 mm wide, climb stairs 400 mm high, overcome a side slope of 40%, and also overcome uphill and downhill up to 60% and 70%, respectively. The wading depth is 900 mm, which makes 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 is its compatibility with several weapon systems, including light air defense systems, heavy machine gun platforms and the 120mm Alkar mortar system from the Turkish company Aselsan. The 120 mm rifled barrel Alkar system provides an effective firing range of 1,500 to 8,000 meters and is compatible with all types of mortar ammunition.

Alkar — is a modern 120 mm mortar system designed and developed by Aselsan, which includes such subsystems as an automatic barrel orientation system, an automatic ammunition loading system, a recoil mechanism and several fire control systems integrated into the turret. It supports a variety of 120mm rifled and smoothbore mortar barrels, making it suitable for a variety of platforms including tracked vehicles, tactical wheeled vehicles and fixed installations. Its recoil mechanism significantly reduces the force transmitted to the platform during firing, allowing it to be integrated into a wide range of vehicles.

Technical characteristics of the Alkar 120mm mortar include a 120mm rifled barrel with a firing range of 1500 up to 8000 meters. The length of the barrel is 1900 mm, and the recoil force is less than 25 tons. The system can be made ready to fire in less than one minute and prepared for redeployment in less than 10 seconds. Firing limitations include lateral range ± 3,200 miles and an altitude range of 800 to 1,200 miles, depending on barrel type. System width – 1450 mm, length – 2450 mm, height – 1100 mm.