SBP-120 Type 08
| Type 08 120mm gun-mortar (SBP-120 Type 08) | |
|---|---|
 An SBP-120 Type 08 towed gun-mortar. | |
| Type | Gun-mortar |
| Place of origin | Menghe |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Innominadan Crisis Innominadan Uprising |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 2008-present |
| Specifications | |
| Barrel length | 3.6 m (140 in) (30 calibers) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Breech | Vertical sliding block |
| Carriage | Split trail |
| Elevation | -10° to +80° |
| Traverse | ±20° without repositioning 360° on baseplate |
| Rate of fire | 8 rounds/min |
| Maximum firing range | 7.1 km (mortar rounds) 13.2 km (base bleed ammunition) |
| Sights | Telescopic sight |
The SBP-120 Type 08 (formal designation: 08식 120밀리메테르 수류탄 발사기 포, yong-pal-sik baegisib millimeterŭ suryutan balsagi-po, "Type 08 120-millimeter gun-mortar"; short designation: 수발포-120/08 Subalpo baegisib-yongpal) is a type of 120-millimeter rifled breech-loading gun-mortar developed in Menghe during the 2000s. It is capable of firing standard 120mm mortar grenades used by the SB-120 Type 84, as well as special rifled shells, rocket-assisted shells, and direct-fire HEAT rounds.
Development
Work on the SBP-120 started in the early 2000s at the Menggang Artillery Institute, which was later acquired by the Menggang Defense Industries Corporation. It appears to have been heavily influenced by the Letnian Nona-K gun-mortar, though it is not a one-to-one copy and it features a slightly longer barrel, among other things. The basic operation of both weapons is similar, as is their employment on the battlefield.
Description
The towed version of the SBP-120 Type 08 is mounted on a conventional split-wheel trailed body, much like the PG-105 Type 75 howitzer before it. Castors on the trails help the crew to quickly bring the weapon into action, and spades at the ends can be dug into the ground for greater stability. As on the PG-105 Type 75, in the firing position the gun-mortar is supported by a small circular pedestal with the wheels lifted off the ground, which reduces pressure on the frame from recoil and allows the crew to lift the trails and rotate the entire weapon on its pedestal to fire in a different direction.
To compensate for the frame's light weight, the SBP-120 Type 08 has a large box-type muzzle brake mounted on the end of the barrel. This reportedly reduces recoil by as much as 30 percent. A hydropneumatic recuperator over the barrel controls recoil and brings the gun back into position. In keeping with its role as a gun and mortar, the weapon has a wide elevation range from +80 degrees for high-angle fire to -10 degrees for direct fire down a slope.
To reduce length during transport and reduce the risk of the barrel striking terrain, the trails are locked together and the gun is traversed 180 degrees and locked with its barrel over the trails. In this configuration, the SBP-120 can be safely towed at speeds of up to 80 km/h on paved roads. It is typically towed by a Chŏnsŏ G586 4×4 light utility lorry or a Donghae DG84 4×4 utility vehicle, with the gun crew riding in the vehicle along with some ammunition.
In its towed configuration, the SBP-120 Type 08 typically has a crew of five personnel. Its rate of fire is reportedly 8 rounds per minute.
The maximum range of the SBP-120 Type 08 varies depending on the ammunition used. With standard high-explosive mortar grenades, it has a maximum range of 7.1 kilometers, identical to the maximum range of the SB-120 Type 84 mortar. With rocket-assisted shell-type projectiles, it has a maximum range of 13.2 kilometers. This is less than the range of the PG-105 Type 75 howitzer, with or without base bleed ammunition, but considerably more than the range of a conventional mortar shell.
Ammunition
- ST-120GP - Standard 120mm high-explosive mortar round used by the Menghean Armed Forces and the Namhae Front.
- ST-120JM - Illumination shell in the form of a mortar round.
- ST-120SJGY - Laser-guided 120mm mortar round with a high-explosive anti-tank warhead. Can be used against precision targets such as bunkers, as well as moving armored vehicles, where its high-angle approach brings it into contact with the vehicle's thinner roof armor.
- ST-120SJJY - Infrared optically-guided 120mm mortar round with a high-explosive anti-tank warhead. Like the ST-120SJGY, it can be used against enemy tanks, though its infrared optical guidance unit allows it to acquire the targeted tank autonomously without help from a laser guidance team. A drawback of this guidance method is that it cannot be used against targets without infrared signatures, such as bunkers and buildings.
- ST-120YM - Smoke shell in the form of a mortar round.
- PT-120GP - Gun-mortar round resembling a conventional artillery shell. It has a longer range than the ST-120GP and delivers similar explosive power.
- PT-120GPH - Gun-mortar round with a rocket-assisted base unit and a smaller warhead. It achieves the longest range out of all ST/PT-120 munitions.
- PT-120SJ - Direct-fire HEAT round for use against enemy armored vehicles. It has a slip ring to negate spin from the gun's rifling, and instead relies on fold-out stabilizing fins. It has a leading precursor charge to set off reactive armor, and a follow-up charge with a penetration value of 600mm RHAe.
Self-propelled versions
| Designation | P120G1P | P120G2P | P120G3P1 | P120G3P2 | P120G3P3 | P120G3P5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base chassis | BSCh-7 | BSCh-5 | BSCh-8G | BSCh-8N | BSCh-8D | BSCh-10 |
| Mass | 16.4 t | 16.7 t | 26.4 t | 40 t | 26.2 t | 28.4 t |
| Ammunition stowage | 38 rounds | 26 rounds | 60 rounds | 70 rounds | ||
| Amphibious? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | ||
The self-propelled derivatives of the SBP-120 Type 08 are even more common than the towed version, which is only used in some airborne, mountain, and light infantry units. In all self-propelled configurations, the turret has one gunner and one loader, with the commander and driver seated elsewhere in the vehicle. A semi-automatic loading system rams the projectile and charges after the gunner loads them, maintaining a rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute despite the elimination of the other loading crew.
The P120G3P sub-family and the P120G3P5 use a new, larger turret with a wider turret ring and bustle. This turret was initially developed in response to the hull layout of the BSCh-8 IFV, which did not leave space for the commander to sit in the hull. Therefore, the turret was expanded to create space for a commander's seat behind the gunner. The loader sits by himself on the right side of the turret basket, and stands on the rotating turret floor when loading the weapon. The larger turret also increased the ready ammunition capacity, and allowed for the installation of a cylindrical ready rack with space for six rounds. When preparing for a barrage against a given set of coordinates, the loader sets projectiles into this ready rack with the appropriate number of charges attached. Once all preparations are complete, the vehicle can conduct a six-round MRSI barrage, with all projectiles impacting the target at the same time. The ready cylinder with pre-loaded charges speeds the loading process, allowing the loader to keep pace and load all projectiles on time.
Visually, the vehicle-mounted version has no external recuperator, instead using a more compact design that sits inside the turret. Installations on light vehicles retain the square-type muzzle brake, but installations on heavy vehicles like the BSCh-8 IFV chassis omit it. The P120G1P, on a light and tall BSCh-7 chassis, cannot safely fire more than 30 degrees from the centerline, but all other variants can traverse the turret through 360 degrees. The P120G5P2 has a longer 40-caliber barrel and restores the muzzle brake. With existing ammunition types, it has the same range and accuracy as the short-barreled version, but Menghe is reportedly working on a more capable extended-range shell which will be compatible with the long-barrel version.
In addition to the gun-mortar, which can fire conventional shells or HEAT rounds in direct-fire mode, defensive armament on all versions consists of a 12.7mm GCh-75 heavy machine gun in a cupola mount derived from the type on the JCh-6 main battle tank. This weapon is operated by the loader. As on the JCh-6, the cupola rotates on its base ring and allows the gunner to aim and fire the HMG from within the turret with the use of a periscope or from an open cupola with the use of two hand cranks. Six smaller periscopes arranged around the cupola provide wider visibility. With an elevation range of -10 to +75 degrees, the cupola-mounted HMG can engage helicopters, UAVs, and low-flying aircraft in addition to infantry and light vehicles.
Self-propelled versions of the SBP-120 Type 08 use the same ammunition as the towed gun-mortar and have the same ballistic properties. Ammunition stowage varies by vehicle, with some ammunition stowed in the turret bustle and the rest stored in the former passenger compartment in the hull.
