BAE/Hagglunds Mjolner

     The Mjolner is a 120mm mortar vehicle which has twin short barrels instead of the long barrels of the AMOS.  The Mjolner was recently adopted by the Swedish Army as a medium-range fire support weapon and I have not been able to find a designation for the vehicle.  The Mjolner is being considered by the Finnish, Czech, and Slovakian armed forces.  It is also being offered on the international market, with its first appearance at an arms show being at DSEI 2019.  Final delivery of the Mjolner to the Swedish Army is expected in late 2020.

     One of the reasons the Czech Republic and Slovakia are considering the Mjolner is because Konstrukta in the Czech Republic makes the mortar barrels of the Mjolner, along with a large selection of ammunition for the mortars.  The ammunition itself is essentially standard 120mm mortar ammunition, and the Mjolner can fire most 120mm mortar ammunition that is designed for breech-loading Western mortars (except for that of the AMOS, of course).  This gives the Mjolner an almost unlimited selection of ammunition types and flavors, though in practice Hagglunds will make the ammunition for the Swedish Mjolner. The barrels are side by side, and can fire one at a time of both barrels at once.  The mortars are enclosed in a turret, and may fire in any direction; the mortars may also traverse up to 60 degrees without rotating the turret. Elevation is 83 degrees, while depression is 43 degrees, so direct fire is not possible. The turret is enlarged to carry more ammunition and charges and give the crew more working room.  It also has increased protection. The turret is equipped with an autoloader for the mortars. The Mjolner is equipped with the latest indirect-fire mechanisms, including for direct-lay situations.  Counterbattery radar is included on the Mjolner. A laser designator is also included.

     The chassis of the Mjolner is the well-tried and reliable CV90 platform.  The CV90 chassis is essentially unchanged from its normal base, with the exception of the turret mechanisms and the changes required by this and ammunition storage. The Mjolner has a Scania DI-16 600-horsepower engine and matching transmission. A US-designed FLIR system is also fitted.  A laser warning system is part of the defensive suite. The Mjolner is equipped with a battlefield management system, GPS, and a land navigation system. The Mjolner has NBC Overpressure and the crew does not need to leave the vehicle to fire the mortars or clear a misfire or dud round or jam. The Mjolner has air conditioning with NBC filters.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Mjolner

$1,098,692

D, A

469 kg

26.5 tons

4

16

FLIR (G, C), Image Intensification (D, G, C), Backup Camera (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Mjolner

157/110

44/31

525

223

Trtd

T4

TF21Sp  TS13Sp  TR9  HF23Sp  HS11Sp  HR5*

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Mjolner

+3

None

2x120mm Konstrukta M1982 Mortar, Ksp m/59 (C)

76x120mm Mortar Shells, 3000x7.62mm

*The Mjolner has a hull and turret deck AV of 3, and a hull floor AV of 5Sp.

 

 Hagglunds Bv-206 Mortar Carrier

     Notes: The near-ubiquitous Bv-206 light tracked vehicle is built in a bewildering variety of variants, one of which is a mortar carrier for either an 81mm, 4.2”, or 120mm mortar.  (Note that the M-30 4.2” Mortar is no longer used by any country.) So far, the mortar-carrying variant is used only by Sweden, Britain, and the US (in small numbers), though it is still offered on the international market.  These mortar carriers are quite useful by arctic units, regardless of the army involved.  Soft-skinned and armored variants (of the Bv-206S version) are offered and used by Sweden and Britain.

 

Bv-206-based Mortar Carrier

     The soft-skinned Bv-206-based version has a front module essentially identical to that of a standard Bv-206, at least externally.  The driver remains on the front left side, using conventional foot pedals and a steering wheel.  The commander is to the right; he has a hatch over his position with a pintle-mounted weapon.  The mortar crew is also in the front module, along with the mortar-specific gear and, if equipped with an MBC, it is kept in the front module as well.  Personal gear is also kept in the front, often strapped to the sides or top.

     The heavily-modified rear module contains the mortar and its ammunition.  The module has special beefed-up suspension and roadwheel elements to take the recoil of the mortar, especially that of the 4.2” or 120mm mortars.  The ammunition is also kept in racks on both sides of the mortar.  The gunner (normally the vehicle commander) and assistant gunner stand on the mortar platform to fire the mortar; the ammunition bearers normally stand beside the module.  The module itself is only about half the height of the front module.  Reloading of the ammunition can be done through double doors on each side of the module. Part of the crew’s additional small arms ammunition and items like rocket launchers and grenades may also be kept in this rear module.  The rear module is otherwise a low metal box with a down-angled section at the front of the module.  On each of the front fenders is a cluster of 3 smoke grenade launchers.

     Mechanically, the Bv-206 Mortar Carrier follows closely with its Bv-206 counterpart.  The suspension is surprisingly good at smoothing out the ride, and the vehicle can traverse deep snow, mud, swamps, and bogs without sinking inordinately.  The front section and rear section are connected by two hydraulic cylinders for steering and braking purposes, with an extension of the drive train giving power to the rear section.  The engine is under the driver and commander, and is a 134-horsepower Mercedes-Benz OM 603.950 diesel engine.  The suspension is fully automatic and has a surprising amount of torque; the Bv-206 Mortar Carrier can actually tow a 1-ton trailer behind its rear module.

 

Bv-206S-based Mortar Carrier

     The BV-206S-based Mortar Carrier is very similar to its Bv-206-based brother, except that the BV-206S Mortar Carrier has light armor protection. Armor is necessarily light to keep the weight of the vehicle down, though an appliqué armor kit is available that increases armor to all faces except the rear and the deck of the front and rear sections. The armored hull is constructed of all-welded steel, except for the large windows up front and to the sides of the driver and commander, which use bullet and blast-resistant glass that provides protection equal to the Bv-206S’s armor.  The engine used by the Bv-206S is a Steyr M16 diesel engine providing 174 horsepower, coupled to a Mercedes-Benz W5A-580 automatic transmission. 

 

Upgraded Versions

     In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Bv-206 (including the Bv-206S) Mortar Carrier crews were given a Mortar Ballistic Computer (MBC), which calculates mortar coordinates and the required elevation, deflection, and direction that the mortar must fire.  This is a large leap in capability (to all vehicles which have an MBC), and the manual equipment is not required (unless it goes down).  The vehicles were also given a long-range data-capable radio, which can also wirelessly transmit coordinates of the target to the MBC.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Bv-206S versions are extremely rare; used only by Sweden, only 10% of the Bv-206 Mortar Carrier force are Bv-206S Mortar Carriers.  Appliqué armor exists for both versions and is used liberally by the British and Swedish (with the US opting out on the appliqué).

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm)

$201,682

D, A

500 kg

7.14 tons

4

5

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (4.2”)

$206,174

D, A

468 kg

7.46 tons

5

5

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (120mm)

$214,275

D, A

458 kg

7.48 tons

5

7

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm w/Appliqué)

$202,259

D, A

366 kg

7.68 tons

4

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (4.2” w/Appliqué)

$209,597

D, A

334 kg

8 tons

5

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (120mm, Appliqué)

$214,852

D, A

324 kg

8.02 tons

5

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm) w/MBC

$205,450

D, A

500 kg

7.14 tons

4

8

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (4.2”) w/MBC

$207,770

D, A

468 kg

7.46 tons

5

10

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (120mm) w/MBC

$219,525

D, A

458 kg

7.48 tons

5

8

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm w/MBC w/Appliqué)

$207,509

D, A

366 kg

7.68 tons

4

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (4.2” w/Appliqué) w/MBC

$214,847

D, A

334 kg

8 tons

5

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (120mm, Appliqué) w/MBC

$220,102

D, A

324 kg

8.02 tons

5

10

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (81mm)

$196,467

D, A

503 kg

7.36 tons

4

7

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (4.2”)

$211,529

D, A

471 kg

7.69 tons

5

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (120mm)

$216,529

D, A

470 kg

7.71 tons

5

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (81mm w/Appliqué)

$197,590

D, A

475 kg

8.16 tons

4

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (4.2” w/Appliqué)

$206,928

D, A

455 kg

8.53 tons

5

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (120mm, Appliqué)

$212,838

D, A

454 kg

8.56 tons

5

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (81mm) w/MBC

$201,622

D, A

503 kg

7.36 tons

4

8

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (4.2”) w/MBC

$211,174

D, A

471 kg

7.69 tons

5

10

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier w/MBC (120mm)

$216,529

D, A

470 kg

7.71 tons

5

10

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm w/MBC w/Appliqué)

$202,745

D, A

366 kg

7.68 tons

4

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (4.2” w/Appliqué, w/MBC)

$212,428

D, A

455 kg

8.53 tons

5

11

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (120mm, Appliqué, MBC)

$217,838

D, A

454 kg

8.56 tons

5

11

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm)

147/103

41/29/4

285

40

Stnd

T2

HF1  HS1  HR1

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (4.2”)

143/100

40/28/4

285

42

Stnd

T2

HF1  HS1  HR1

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (120mm)

142/100

40/28/4

285

42

Stnd

T2

HF1  HS1  HR1

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm w/Appliqué)

140/98

39/27/3

285

43

Stnd

T2

HF2  HS2  HR2*

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (4.2” w/Appliqué)

140/98

39/27/3

285

45

Stnd

T2

HF2  HS2  HR2*

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (120mm, Appliqué)

136/95

38/26/3

285

45

Stnd

T2

HF2  HS2  HR2*

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (81mm)

175/122

49/34/4

285

52

Stnd

T2

HF3  HS2  HR2

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (4.2”)

170/118

47/33/4

285

54

Stnd

T2

HF3  HS2  HR2

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (120mm)

169/118

47/33/4

285

54

Stnd

T2

HF3  HS2  HR2

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (81mm w/Appliqué)

162/113

45/31/4

285

58

Stnd

T2

HF5  HS3  HR2**

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (4.2” w/Appliqué)

157/110

44/30/4

285

64

Stnd

T2

HF5  HS3  HR2**

Bv-206S Mortar Carrier (120mm, Appliqué)

156/110

44/30/4

285

64

Stnd

T2

HF5  HS3  HR2**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (81mm)

None

None

81mm L-16 Mortar, MAG (C)

100x81mm, 2000x7.62mm

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (4.2”)

None

None

M-30 4.2” Mortar, MAG (C)

60x4.2”, 2000x7.62mm

Bv-206 Mortar Carrier (120mm)

None

None

m/41 120mm Mortar, MAG (C)

50x120mm, 2000x7.62mm

*While the appliqué armor for this version gives a hull floor AV of 2, the hull deck armor is not part of the appliqué armor package and is only 1.  

**The appliqué armor package for this version gives a floor AV of 4 and a deck AV of 2.

    

Hagglunds CV-90 AMOS (Grkbv)

     Notes:  Based on the chassis of the CV-9040 IFV, the CV-90 AMOS is heavily modified from the base vehicle for its role. The most obvious modification is the replacement of the CV-9040 turret with the AMOS turret armed with twin 120mm AMOS mortars.  Internally, the modifications are even heavier to accommodate the new turret, the ammunition racks, and the entire AMOS system.  Though the CV-90 AMOS is not used outside of Sweden, the AMOS turret is a big seller worldwide, and has been adapted to a number of chassis by different countries.

     As with other mortar vehicles that use the AMOS turret (or its single-barreled cousin, the NEMO turret), the CV-90 AMOS chassis and turret are essentially containers for the high-tech AMOS mortar system.  The barrels are long enough to make one wonder if they are short-barreled howitzers at first glance, and the AMOS turret is much larger than the CV-9040 IFV’s turret.  The mortars can fire any sort of Western 120mm mortar rounds (as of the time of this writing in mid-May 2013), including the most up-to-date smart rounds and some decidedly low-tech rounds (with varying performance, of course; most countries are not going to waste their high-tech AMOS mortars by shooting ammunition from the 1960s). The AMOS turret is so large that it almost appears to be too large for the CV-90 chassis.  Though the mortars have no stabilization system, they can be fired in direct fire mode with high accuracy from a halt or slow move, and thus the CV-90 AMOS can have a viable antivehicle role as well as operating in direct fire support of friendly units. (New rounds were developed by several ammunition manufacturers to take advantage of this capability.)  The AMOS system is known for its comprehensive fire control system in both indirect and direct fire modes, including the ability to generate its own fire missions with the proper information.  The system is highly computer-controlled/assisted, including GPS navigation and plotting with inertial/computer backup, an enhanced MBC, mapping computer, and mission generator computer.

     The chassis, therefore, exists to move the mortar system.  The turret mounts the firepower part of the system, including the mortars, the commander and gunner, and most of the fire control equipment and fire control system.  The commander and gunner have hatches on the roof of the turret, though they are not typically armed positions.  The commander, however, has a cupola with a night vision front block as well as all-around vision blocks.  The night vision block for the commander uses a channel from the gunner’s equipment, but in most cases, the commander can fire the mortars and coaxial machinegun from his position.  Inside, the fighting compartment is virtually chock-full of the ammunition racks and the feed chutes and loading systems for regular rounds and special-use rounds (or rounds that cannot use the autoloading system).  The rear door remains, but is used primarily for reloading rounds from a ground pile of support vehicle.  The driver remains in the same place as in the CV-9040 chassis, on the front left; the position is basically identical to the CV-90 driver’s position, with three vision blocks to the front, one of which may be removed and replaced with a night vision block.  The driver has a conventional steering yoke with a gas and brake pedal. The CV-90 AMOS has heating and air conditioning systems for crew comfort, as well as an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup system. The gunner has the full benefits of his and the vehicle’s sensors, and has use of a variety of night vision, telescopic, direct fire and indirect fire sights and fire control systems.  Older CV-90 AMOSs have a cluster of three smoke grenade launchers on either side of the turret; newer ones have four or five in a cluster.

     The suspension of the CV-90 is particularly noted for its smooth ride and large lack of the squeaks and creaks that tend to go along with most tracked vehicles, and this contributes greatly to its ability to move on enemy positions without being noticed until it’s too late.  The engine noise is also effectively dampened out by insulation and exhaust baffles that also reduces its IR signature and gives the engine good protection from burning fuel being poured into the engine compartment.  The engine used is a Scania DSI-14 550 turbocharged diesel; coupled to an automatic transmission.  The engine, transmission, and part of the drive train are part of an integrated power pack that can be removed from the vehicle in one piece, quickening and simplifying maintenance and allowing a complete powerpack change in as little as 15 minutes.  Other parts of the vehicle are also designed for easy access.

     Though I have not been find any information about this, there is no reason that the CV-90 AMOS could receive most of the upgrades that the CV-9040 received.  I have included these below in the next block.

 

Hypothetical CV-90 AMOS with CV-9040 Upgrades

     These are termed hypothetical since I have never heard of the CV-9040 upgrades being applied to the CV-90 AMOS.  I should be noted that the designations I use here are made up by me for clarity and convenience in referring to them, and are not real designations.

     The first of these upgrades gave the CV-90 AMOS a Scania DI-16 600-horsepower engine and matching transmission, general suspension and drive train improvements, and electrical system updates, as well as a fully-stabilized coaxial machinegun, and mortars stabilized in one plane for direct fire purposes only. A US-designed FLIR system was also fitted, again applicable to the mortar direct fire and coaxial machinegun sights, though the commander can tap into the FLIR. The thermal imager was also shifted to the commander. A laser warning system was added to the defensive suite. I have designated this version the CV-90B AMOS. Some CV-90 AMOSs were equipped with a battlefield management system, though the resulting vehicle was still called the CV-90B AMOS.

     The upgrades which produce what I have designated the CV-90C AMOS have these improvements as well as bolt-on spaced appliqué steel armor modules for the hull and turret, bar/slat/anti-RPG mesh and improved hull floor, hull deck, and turret deck armor as well. Thickened Kevlar anti-spalling liners have been added to the interior. Every hit on a face protected by bar/slat/RPG mesh combination will destroy 5% of the bar/slat/RPG mesh.  Thus, a skilled enemy gunner can exploit this damage in an attempt to hit a hole in the armor, and if hit enough, the bar/slat/RPG mesh can become useless. (This is true in general of any type of bar/slat/anti-RPG mesh appliqué).

     Of course, the MEXAS ceramic spaced armor package, as well as any number of appliqué passive armor plates, can be applied.  Versions of the CV-90 AMOS with MEXAS are designated C-90D AMOS below.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Sweden and Norway were the only countries to field the CV-90 series in the Twilight War.  Most of Sweden and Norway’s CV-90 AMOS fleet, though some were given additional protection using bolt-on spaced steel armor modules for the turret and part of the hull, as well as plating for the hull and turret deck and hull floor. Use the CV-90 AMOS w/Appliqué to simulate the version of the CV-90 AMOS used during the Twilight War.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

CV-90 AMOS

$778,996

D, A

400 kg

26 tons

4

17

Passive IR (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), Image Intensification (G)

Shielded

CV-90 AMOS w/Appliqué

$792,760

D, A

400 kg

27.7 tons

4

17

Passive IR (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), Image Intensification (G)

Shielded

CV-90B AMOS

$1,111,181

D, A

666 kg

26 tons

4

18

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), FLIR (G), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

CV-90B AMOS w/BMS

$1,379,711

D, A

666 kg

26.1 tons

4

21

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), FLIR (G), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

CV-90B AMOS w/Appliqué

$1,112,695

D, A

604 kg

27.7 tons

4

19

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), FLIR (G), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

CV-90B AMOS w/Appliqué & BMS

$1,408,850

D, A

604 kg

27.8 tons

4

20

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), FLIR (G), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

CV-90C AMOS

$1,586,886

D, A

541 kg

29 tons

4

21

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), FLIR (G), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

CV-90C AMOS w/BMS

$1,831,941

D, A

541 kg

29.1 tons

4

23

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), FLIR (G), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

C-90D AMOS

$1,488,677

D, A

300 kg

28.4 tons

4

24

Passive IR (D, G, Crew), Image Intensification (G, Crew), 2nd Gen Thermal Imaging (Crew), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

CV-90 AMOS

149/104

41/29

525

204

Trtd

T4

TF7  TS4  TR4  HF18  HS7  HR4

CV-90 AMOS w/Appliqué

142/99

39/28

525

217

Trtd

T4

TF17Sp  TS10Sp  TR7  HF21Sp  HS9Sp  HR4**

CV-90B AMOS

160/112

45/31

525

224

Trtd

T4

TF14  TS8  TR6  HF18  HS7  HR4

CV-90B AMOS w/BMS

160/112

45/31

525

224

Trtd

T4

TF14  TS8  TR6  HF18  HS7  HR4

CV-90B AMOS w/Appliqué

152/107

42/30

525

238

Trtd

T4

TF17Sp  TS10Sp  TR7  HF21Sp  HS9Sp  HR4**

CV-90B AMOS w/Appliqué & BMS

152/106

42/30

525

239

Trtd

T4

TF17Sp  TS10Sp  TR7  HF21Sp  HS9Sp  HR4**

CV-90C AMOS

147/103

41/29

525

246

Trtd

T4

TF18Sp  TS11Sp  TR8  HF23Sp  HS11Sp  HR5***

CV-90C AMOS w/BMS

146/103

41/29

525

250

Trtd

T4

TF18Sp  TS11Sp  TR8  HF23Sp  HS11Sp  HR5***

C-90D AMOS

153/107

43/31

525

229

Trtd

T4

TF17Cp  TS10Sp  TR7  HF23Cp  HS10Sp  HR4***

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

CV-90/CV-90D AMOS

+3

None

Twin 120mm AMOS Mortars, MAG

66x120mm Mortar Shells, 3000x7.62mm

CV-90B/CV-90C AMOS

+1/+4*

Basic/Good*

Twin 120mm AMOS Mortars, MAG

66x120mm Mortar Shells, 3000x7.62mm

*The first set of fire control and Stabilization modifiers apply to the mortars in direct fire.  The second applies to the coaxial machinegun.

**This version has a hull and turret deck AV of 3, and a hull floor AV of 4.

***The CV-90C/D AMOS with its appliqué armor kit has a hull and turret deck AV of 3, and a hull floor AV of 5Sp.