120R 2M/Piranha

     Notes:  The 120R 20M in the designation refers to the mortar, a new French rifled 120mm mortar called a recoiling mortar that uses a system of shock absorbers that takes up a lot of the recoil of the mortar.  This mortar system weighs 1.4 tons and is a version of the TDA MO-120-RT.  This system can be installed in any wheeled or tracked vehicle with sufficient space in its cargo area that weighs at least 10 tons (including the weight of the mortar).  The weight of the system includes a semi-automatic loading system with a magazine of 40 rounds, and allows a rate of fire of 1 per phase.  The mortar can be traversed through 200 degrees.  Elevation may be from 0-90 degrees, but direct fire at targets is not possible. When traveling, the mortar is lowered into the horizontal position (facing the rear) and lowered into the vehicle. When the hatches are closed, it is difficult to tell that this is a mortar vehicle; it looks like a Piranha II basic APC unless viewed from an elevated position, where the large roof hatches may be viewed.  The mortar uses a semiautomatic loading system, with the loader assisting the crew in lifting the projectile and lining it up with the barrel.  The mortar also includes a programmable aiming system, a ring laser gyro, and control displays for the gun chief and the gunner.  It has a GPS and data-capable radio that feeds into the mortar to allow remote setting of coordinates, such as from an FDC. It also has a manual backup mode.

     So far, the only user is Saudi Arabia, though it has also seen field demonstrations in France.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Shortly before the Twilight War, this system was marketed mounted on an 8x8 MOWAG Piranha chassis.  This system was taken into service in increasing numbers by French forces as the war wore on, and some sales were also made to the Saudi Army.  A few of these systems were made available to the US Marines for evaluation before the war, and when the US got into the Twilight War, these systems were paid for and more bought to supplement its LAV 81mm Mortar Carriers, which used a similar chassis.  Most of those vehicles were ended up in Poland with the 2^nd Marine Division.

ASCOD Mortar Carrier

     Notes:  This is an ASCOD IFV chassis fitted with a turret mounting a 120mm breech-loading mortar.  There is a mount by the commander's hatch for a weapon.  The vehicle is equipped with a fire control computer and GPS to allow the vehicle to fire accurately at targets within 3 phases of a halt as long as the target's location is known.  To this end, the ASCOD Mortar Carrier has a GPS and mapping capability, mortar-laying computer, and a computer in between to automatically turn the turret and elevate and traverse the mortar to the correct coordinates.  It also has a data-capable long-range radio to allow it to be automatically laid by an FDC or a FIST team who has similar equipment. As of 2003, this vehicle was being aggressively marketed to countries who had bought the ASCOD APC, but none had been sold as of 2017.  The breech-loading mortar is capable of direct fire, making the ASCOD APC capable of some self-defense shots, though this is limited due to the dearth of antiarmor mortar rounds.  The mortar can fire between a depression of -2 degrees and +80 degrees.  The turret mounting allows it to fire in any direction.  A manual backup mode is also available.  Ground targets may be engaged with the help of a laser rangefinder and ballistic computer; the ballistic computer may also assist the mortar in indirect mode.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: A rare vehicle, the ASCOD Mortar Carrier was considered a delight to its crews, as it is easy to maintain and allows the crew to fire from under armor protection, as well as conduct some limited direct fire and self-defense against armored targets and light vehicles. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle was generally passed on, even by countries using the other vehicles in the ASCOD range; conventional mortar vehicles were simply cheaper.

SCU Automecanica RN-94 Mortar Carrier

     Notes:  This is an RN-94 armored personnel carrier modified for the Turkish Army to carry an 81mm mortar.  The mortar is usually a long-barreled long-range model (normally the TDA MO 81 LP, though others can be fitted), and fires through the rear deck, which is fitted with long hatches to allow this.  There is no turret, but the commander's hatch has a machinegun mount. 

     Turkey decided against the 81mm-equipped RN-94 Mortar Carrier, but is in advanced testing of an RN-94 armed with the 120mm 120R 2M mortar, as on the Piranha mortar carrier above.  (The Turks are also testing this system mounted on their ACV-300.) It has the same systems and stats as shown for the mortar in the above entry.  This Turkish system has a BMS and GPS with a mapping system.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist in the Twilight v 2.2 timeline.