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{{Infobox weapon
|name=Soltam K6 mortar
| image= File:160808-F-VH066-018.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=
|origin= Israel
|type= [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
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|is_ranged=yes
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=yes
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|used_by= [[Soltam K6#Operators|See below]]
|wars=
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|weight= {{Convert|144.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length=
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|crew=5
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|cartridge=
|caliber={{convert|120|mm|in}}
|action=
|rate= 16 RPM max, 4 RPM sustained
|velocity=
|range= {{Convert|7,240|m|yd}}
|max_range=
|feed= manual
|sights=
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The '''Soltam K6''' is a 120&nbsp;mm (4.75 inch) [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]] that was developed by [[Soltam Systems]] of Israel. It is the long-range version of the [[Soltam K5]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html |title=Soltam K5 and K6 120 mm light mortars (Israel), Mortars |publisher=Jane's |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426183845/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 |access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref> and has replaced older systems, such as the {{convert|107|mm|in|adj=on}} [[M30 mortar|M30]], in several armies, including the [[United States Army]]. It is much lighter than the M30, has a greater range, and can sustain a rate of fire of four rounds per minute, while the M30 could sustain only three.

== Design overview ==
The K6 fires fin-stabilized [[ammunition]] from a [[smoothbore]] barrel. Unlike its smaller-ammunition cousins, the 81&nbsp;mm and 60&nbsp;mm mortars, the fin blades of the ammunition fired from the M120 are not canted. Thus, no spin is imparted to the [[projectile]] in flight. Although heavy mortars require trucks or tracked mortar carriers to move them, they are still much lighter than [[field artillery]] pieces. They outrange light and medium mortars, and their explosive power is much greater. An improved version is known as the '''K6A3'''.

High-explosive rounds fired by the M120 weigh about {{convert|31|lb|kg|abbr=on}} and can have a lethality radius of {{convert|225|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://www.sofmag.com/making-the-mortar-smarter/ MAKING THE MORTAR SMARTER] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530233812/https://www.sofmag.com/making-the-mortar-smarter/ |date=30 May 2015 }} - Sofmag.com, 26 May 2015</ref>

== History and deployment ==
[[File:Mortar of 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Stabilization Force, Bosnia and Herzegovina.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:40th Cavalry Regiment soldier loads 120 mm mortar round 120208-A-ZU930-014.jpg|thumb|M934A1 high-explosive round with propellant rings]]

The K6 entered service with the [[United States Army]] in 1991 as the '''M120 Mortar System'''. Its mission is to provide heavy-weapon, high-angle organic [[indirect fire]] support to the unit commander. The M120 is used by both [[Armoured warfare|mechanized units]] and [[light infantry]] in certain situations. Another feature of the M120 is the [[M303 sub-caliber insert]], which allows the mortar to fire 81&nbsp;mm ammunition.

The M120 is transported on the [[M1100 trailer]] by the M998 [[Humvee]]. The version that is mounted on the [[M1064 mortar carrier|M1064]] and [[M1129 mortar carrier|M1129]] mortar carriers is known as the '''M121'''.

In 2007, the U.S. Army ordered 588 '''M326 MSS''' (mortar stowage systems) from BAE Systems. Here, the assembled mortar is mounted on a truck, Humvee or M1101 trailer and can be mounted and dismounted in less than 20 seconds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/baes-m326-mss-mortar-in-mortar-out-mortar-on-04073/|title=BAEs M326 MSS: Mortar In, Mortar Out, Mortar On|access-date=2016-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925024713/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/baes-m326-mss-mortar-in-mortar-out-mortar-on-04073/|archive-date=25 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2016, [[Elbit Systems]] announced it was awarded an [[Indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity|Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity]] (ID/IQ) contract for the production of the M121<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elbitamerica.com/news/u.s.-army-contract-for-mortar-weapon-systems|title=Elbit Systems of America Receives U.S. Army Contract for Mortar Weapon Systems|access-date=2017-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116175001/http://www.elbitsystems-us.com/sites/default/files/news-releases/Elbit%20Systems%20of%20America%20receives%20contract%20for%20Mortar%20Weapon%20Systems.pdf|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Components ==

The M120 mortar system consists of the following major components:
* M298 cannon assembly – {{convert|50|kg|abbr=on}}
* M190 bipod assembly – {{convert|32|kg|abbr=on}}
* M9 baseplate – {{convert|62|kg|abbr=on}}
* M1100 trailer – {{convert|181|kg|abbr=on}}
* M67 sight unit – {{convert|1.1|kg|abbr=on}}

The M120 is capable of firing the following munitions:
* [[XM395 Precision Guided Mortar Munition|XM395]] precision guided munition
* M929 [[Smoke bomb|smoke cartridge]] ([[White phosphorus munitions|White Phosphorus]])<ref>120mm Mortar Smoke Cartridge http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907222142/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m929.htm |date=7 September 2009 }}</ref>
* XM930 illumination round
** XM930E1 illumination round
* XM931 practice round
* M933 high-explosive round
** M933A1 high-explosive round
* M934 [[Explosive material#High explosives|high-explosive]] round
** M934A1 high-explosive round
* XM983 [[Infrared|Infrared (IR)]] [[Flare|illumination]] round

==Operators==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
*{{flag|Armenia}}: 12; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|183}}
*{{flag|Bolivia}}: ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|404}}
*{{flag|Denmark}}: 20<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|99}}
*{{flag|Georgia}}: 18<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|189}}
*{{flag|Iraq}}: 450; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|353}}
*{{flag|Israel}}
*{{flag|Kazakhstan}} ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|191}}
*{{flag|Latvia}}: 25; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|122}}
*{{flag|Myanmar}}:80<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|296}}
*{{flag|Poland}}: 142; ''M120'' variant<ref name="Military Balance 2020" />{{rp|134}}
*{{UKR}}: 30; ''M120'' variant donated by the United States in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |title=SIPRI Arms Transfers Database {{!}} SIPRI |url=https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers |website=www.sipri.org |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=27 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
*{{flag|United States}}: 1,076 ''M120'' and ''M1064A3'' variants as of January 2025<ref name="Military Balance 2025">{{cite book |title=The Military Balance |date=2025 |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |isbn=978-1-041-04967-8}}</ref>{{rp|37}}<ref name="Military Balance 2020">{{cite book |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |year=2020 |title=The Military Balance |volume=120 |publisher=Routlegde |isbn=978-0-367-46639-8}}</ref>{{rp|48}}

== See also ==
* [[120 Krh/40]] – The Finnish weapon that served as the basis for Soltam M-65 and K6
* [[Cardom]] 120&nbsp;mm recoil mortar system
* [[M1064 mortar carrier]] – M113 series vehicle fitted with M121 120&nbsp;mm mortar
* [[M1129 mortar carrier]] – Stryker series vehicle fitted with M121 120&nbsp;mm mortar
* [[Soltam M-65]] 120&nbsp;mm mortar
* [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|M327]] – 120&nbsp;mm towed mortar used the USMC
* [[List of U.S. military vehicles by model number]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{Commons category|Soltam M-120 mortars}}

* [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pocket+artillery.(Infantry:+mortars)-a0146354592 Pocket artillery]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m120.htm M120 120mm Mortar]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-90/ch7.htm M120 Field Manual]
*

{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Mortars of the United States]]
[[Category:Mortars of Israel]]
[[Category:Infantry mortars]]
[[Category:120 mm mortars]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]