Rak 2 Mortar is the result of several years of development work in modernizing the mortar used until now Rak M120Kwhich was mounted on the chassis of a wheeled armored personnel carrier Wolverine.
New design solutions for Rak 2 mortar
Work on a new version of the 120mm mortar turret, factory designated as M69, began in 2021. The main goal of this work was to increase efficiency and adapt the system to the new requirements of the modern battlefield.
The new Rak 2 mortar design includes a significantly redesigned turret. One of the most notable changes is the front armor plates, which have been mounted at a greater angle of inclination, which improves the side and frontal protection of the barrel mantlet mechanism. The rear of the turret has also been redesigned, gaining new diagonal armor plates in the lower part, which increases protection and improves the functionality of the system.
Increased rate of fire and new loading system
One of the main improvements in the new mortar Cancer 2 is the use of a new barrel assembly, which was adapted from a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer Mr. Krabs AGS. The new design of the barrel and ammunition loading system allows for a significantly higher rate of fire. While the previous Rak model allowed firing at a rate of 6 to 8 rounds per minute, the new Rak 2 allows firing 10 to 12 rounds per minute. This improvement puts Cancer 2 among the world’s leading artillery systems in terms of fire efficiency.
Advanced fire control systems and optoelectronics
Cancer 2like its predecessor, it is equipped with a modern fire control system based on a ballistic computer TOPAZ with a thermal imaging camera and a laser rangefinder. Thanks to the new turret system, the crew, which will consist of three people, has the ability to effectively manage mortar fire with minimal technical support. The turret is also equipped with an optoelectronic head for thermal imaging, which increases the unit’s reconnaissance and targeting capabilities.
Integration with Borsuk chassis
New mortar Cancer 2 was placed on the chassis of an infantry fighting vehicle Badgerwhich provides not only mobility, but also additional operational capabilities such as buoyancy and increased ballistic protection according to the STANAG II standard. The introduction of such a solution is crucial to ensuring the flexibility and combat capabilities of modern artillery units.
