Munitions

Mortar bombs, 120mm

Also known as
  • 120 mm mortar bombs
  • 120mm mortar bombs
  • 120 mm mortar rounds
  • 120mm mortar rounds
  • 120 mm mortar ammunition
  • 120mm mortar ammunition
  • 120 mm mortar mines
  • 120mm mortar mines

120 mm mortar bombs are fin-stabilized heavy mortar projectiles for compatible 120 mm mortar launchers, covering high-explosive, smoke, illumination, training, extended-range, and guided families. Published examples vary sharply by manufacturer and launcher qualification: conventional HE rounds commonly list 13-16 kg class masses, product-specific explosive fillings, point-detonating or proximity fuzes, and range limits tied to barrel length, pressure limits, smoothbore qualification, or turreted-system requirements. In the Boko Haram insurgency, Nigerian Army reporting documented recovered 120 mm mortar bombs as insurgent materiel rather than confirmed firing use.

Mortar bombs, 120mm, Heavy mortar ammunition, Munitions
Image source: 40th Cavalry Regiment soldier loads 120 mm mortar round

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Multiple countries
Type
Heavy mortar ammunition
Service note
20th century-present
Designer
Various national arsenals and defense manufacturers
Designed
Varies by model
Produced
20th century-present
Number built
Not publicly stated for the class

Specifications

Caliber
120 mm
Munition class
Fin-stabilized mortar bomb for compatible 120 mm mortar systems
Round families
High-explosive, smoke, illumination, practice/training, extended-range, precision-guided, and other specialized natures depending on manufacturer and launcher qualification
Published HE mass examples
Nammo lists 13.0 kg flying mass; KNDS lists 15.2 kg nominal round mass; MSM and OF-843B-style examples list about 16 kg class weights; Agencija Alan lists 12.6 kg
Explosive filling examples
Product-specific: Nammo lists 2.0 kg TNT, KNDS lists 2.5 kg Composition B, MSM lists 2.66 kg, and Agencija Alan lists 2.4 kg TNT
Fuze examples
Point-detonating, delay or superquick, proximity, electronic, or guided-munition fuze modes depending on round; U.S. and manufacturer examples vary by cartridge
Range examples
Product and launcher dependent: Nammo lists 7.8-8.4 km by barrel length, KNDS lists more than 9 km for one HE round, ST Engineering ER material lists up to 9 km, and Elbit Iron Sting lists 1-12 km depending on tube
Compatibility limits
Not interchangeable by caliber alone; smoothbore qualification, pressure limits, barrel length, charge system, turreted or breech-loaded requirements, and manufacturer authorization all matter
Variants

The 120 mm mortar-bomb class is best read by munition role and launcher qualification rather than as one interchangeable standard round.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
High-explosive fragmentation bombsConventional HE / HE-fragmentation ammunition

Nammo, KNDS, MSM, VMZ, and Agencija Alan publish 120 mm HE mortar-bomb examples with different masses, fills, fuzes, and range figures, showing why class-level data should be treated as representative rather than universal.

Sources: 120 mm Mortar High Explosive Round, 120mm HE Mortar, 120 mm Mortar Bomb, 120 mm ROUND WITH HE-FRAG MORTAR BOMB, Mortar Bomb 120mm HE

Smoke mortar bombsScreening and obscuration rounds

U.S. Army mortar-ammunition material lists the M929 120 mm white-phosphorus smoke round, while manufacturer families also group smoke natures with HE and illuminating 120 mm rounds.

Sources: Mortar Ammunition, 120mm HE Mortar, Mortar Bombs

Illumination mortar bombsVisible-light or infrared illumination

U.S. Army mortar-ammunition material lists M930 visible-light and M983 infrared 120 mm illumination rounds, and KNDS lists illumination in its 120 mm mortar-ammunition product line.

Sources: Mortar Ammunition, 120mm HE Mortar

Practice and training roundsTraining ammunition

U.S. Army and GD-OTS material identify the M931 full-range training round as part of the 120 mm mortar-ammunition inventory.

Sources: Mortar Ammunition, Mortar Munitions and Components

Extended Range High Explosive, 120 mm high-explosive mortar round for smoothbore mortar systems, MunitionsExtended Range High ExplosiveExtended-range 120 mm HE family example

ST Engineering's Extended Range High Explosive page is a cataloged 120 mm smoothbore mortar-bomb example with source-backed extended-range data.

Sources: Mortar Bombs

Iron Sting 120 mm guided mortar munition, 120 mm guided mortar munition, ArtilleryIron Sting 120 mm guided mortar munitionLaser/GPS-guided 120 mm munition example

Elbit's Iron Sting is a precision-guided 120 mm mortar munition, illustrating the guided branch of the caliber rather than a universal unguided bomb.

Sources: Iron Sting

Carrier Drones

Some 120 mm mortar bombs have appeared outside normal mortar firing systems as large drone payloads.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
FPV drones, First-person-view small UAV / one-way attack drone, Aircraft & UAVsFPV dronesFPV drone payload carrier

Militarnyi describes a Ukrainian Armor wing-type FPV drone equipped with a 120 mm mortar round as its payload.

Sources: Ukrainian Armor Develops FPV Drone With 120mm Mortar Round

Firing Systems

Published compatibility claims identify 120 mm mortar bombs with a mix of generic launchers, towed mortars, self-propelled gun-mortars, and vehicle-mounted systems. Compatibility remains round- and launcher-specific.

Firing weaponWeapon typeFiring evidence
120 mm mortar launcher, Heavy mortar launcher, Artillery120 mm mortar launcher120 mm mortar launcher

Elbit describes 120 mm mortar systems that authorize qualified 120 mm ammunition for use, matching the generic 120 mm mortar-bomb class.

Sources: 120mm Mortars

2S23 Nona-SVK, 120 mm wheeled self-propelled gun-mortar, Artillery2S23 Nona-SVK120 mm wheeled self-propelled gun-mortar

Army Guide says the 2S23 Nona-SVK gun/mortar system can fire all sorts of 120 mm mines, including Russian and foreign types, and that it can fire 120 mm projectiles and mortar bombs.

Sources: Rosoboronexport at Eurosatory 2010

120-PM-38, 120 mm towed heavy mortar, Artillery120-PM-38120 mm towed heavy mortar

VMZ states its 120 mm HE-FRAG mortar bomb is intended to function when fired from PM-38 mortars, and ODIN describes the PM-38 as firing 120 mm ammunition including HE/fragmentation and smoke natures.

Sources: 120 mm ROUND WITH HE-FRAG MORTAR BOMB, PM-38 (M1938) Russian 120mm Towed Mortar

PM-43, 120 mm towed heavy mortar, ArtilleryPM-43120 mm towed heavy mortar

Arcus lists Mod. 1943 among compatible launchers for its 120 mm HE mortar bomb, supporting the PM-43 relationship to the broader 120 mm mortar-bomb class.

Sources: 120mm HE Mortar Bomb VOF-843B

2S12 Sani, 120 mm heavy mortar system, Artillery2S12 Sani120 mm heavy mortar system

Rosoboronexport describes the 2C12A/Sani system as built around the 120 mm 2B11 mortar, and Arcus lists 2B11 and 2S12 Sani as compatible launchers for a 120 mm HE mortar bomb.

Sources: Rosoboronexport 120mm 2C12A Mortar System, 120mm HE Mortar Bomb VOF-843B

2S9 Nona, Air-droppable 120 mm self-propelled mortar, Artillery2S9 Nona120 mm self-propelled gun-mortar

Belspetsvneshtechnika states that the 2S9 Nona-S can fire mortar shells/projectiles and lists all types of 120 mm mortar shells in its ammunition set.

Sources: 2S9 Nona-S ammunition list

120 mm M74 mortar, 120 mm smoothbore towed mortar, Artillery120 mm M74 mortar120 mm smoothbore towed mortar

PPT Namenska lists the 120 mm M74 mortar with maximum range data using the 120 mm M62P3 mine.

Sources: PPT Namenska Mortars

120 mm M75 mortar, 120 mm towed smoothbore mortar, Artillery120 mm M75 mortar120 mm towed smoothbore mortar

Yugoimport's M75 mortar data gives 120 mm shell range data for the M75, supporting it as a firing system for 120 mm mortar ammunition.

Sources: 120 mm M75 Mortar Datasheet

Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS), Vehicle-mounted 81 mm and 120 mm advanced mortar system, ArtilleryGround Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS)Vehicle-mounted 120 mm mortar system

ST Engineering's GDAMS brochure lists compatibility with 81 mm and 120 mm qualified ammunition, including the Precision Guided 120 mm Mortar Bomb.

Sources: GDAMS brochure

ECIA L-65 mortar, Smoothbore mortar family, ArtilleryECIA L-65 mortar120 mm ECIA L-65/120 mortar

Outono shows Spanish soldiers loading a 120 mm projectile for the ECIA L-65/120 mortar.

Sources: Impresionantes imágenes de los disparos de los M-113 portamorteros del Ejército Español

Compatibility And Round Families

120 mm mortar bombs share a caliber but not a single universal pressure, fuze, charge, or launcher standard. Product sources describe compatibility through qualified smoothbore mortars, named systems, or turreted-system requirements, so catalog links should be read as sourced compatibility examples rather than a guarantee that every 120 mm round fits every 120 mm weapon.

HE examples

Nammo, KNDS, MSM, VMZ, and Agencija Alan publish different HE mortar-bomb masses, fills, fuzes, and ranges, showing the spread inside the class.

Non-HE natures

U.S. Army, GD-OTS, ST Engineering, and KNDS material document smoke, illumination, training, extended-range, and guided 120 mm ammunition families.

Launcher qualification

Nammo notes standard smoothbore and Patria turreted-system compatibility when equipped appropriately, while KNDS warns that one HE round is incompatible with high-pressure turreted mortars.

Sources: 120 mm Mortar High Explosive Round; 120mm HE Mortar; Mortar Ammunition; Mortar Munitions and Components; Mortar Bombs.

Media

Mortar bombs, 120mm Videos

Mortar bombs, 120mm Images

Mortar bombs, 120mm, Heavy mortar ammunition, Munitions - view 1
Source: U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Morris shoots a 120 mm mortar round
Mortar bombs, 120mm, Heavy mortar ammunition, Munitions - view 2
Source: U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines
Related Weapon Systems
Mortar bombs, 82 mm, 82 mm high-explosive mortar bomb, MunitionsMunitionsMortar bombs, 82 mm82 mm high-explosive mortar bombThis entry covers the 82 mm mortar-bomb caliber class rather than a single factory model. Sources document the class in insurgent and paramilitary materiel from Boko Haram-linked forces in the Lake Chad Basin, Islamic State stocks in Syria and Iraq, and RSF-associated PP87 mortar ammunition in Sudan, while manufacturer and ordnance references show that model-specific weight, filling, fuze, and range figures vary across O-832, PP87, HE, smoke, illumination, and extended-range families.
120 mm mortar launcher, Heavy mortar launcher, ArtilleryArtillery120 mm mortar launcherHeavy mortar launcherA 120 mm mortar launcher is a heavy indirect-fire weapon class used to fire high-angle mortar bombs from a tube, baseplate, and bipod, a towed mount, or a vehicle system. This generic entry is for source-backed cases where public evidence identifies the caliber and mortar role but not a precise national model, including Ukrainian 120-mm mortar fire near Chasiv Yar, probable 120 mm mortar shelling in Yemen, Gaddafi-era use around Misratah, and a Nigerien seizure from Boko Haram fighters.
Mortar bombs, 60mm, 60 mm mortar ammunition, MunitionsMunitionsMortar bombs, 60mm60 mm mortar ammunition60 mm mortar bombs are fin-stabilized light mortar rounds made in high-explosive, smoke, illumination, infrared-illumination, and training variants for portable 60 mm mortar tubes. This entry treats the caliber as a family rather than a single national model: Boko Haram/ISWAP evidence is based on recovered rounds and IED adaptation, Myanmar evidence includes both fired and air-dropped mortar rounds, and Ukrainian evidence covers 60 mm mortar shells integrated into FPV strike drones.
Mortar bombs, 81mm, 81 mm mortar bomb, MunitionsMunitionsMortar bombs, 81mm81 mm mortar bomb81 mm mortar bombs are fin-stabilized ammunition families made by many arsenals and defense manufacturers for medium mortars, with high-explosive, smoke, illumination, infrared-illumination, and training variants. Documented conflict use in this catalog includes Boko Haram improvised explosive devices made from captured mortar bombs, U.S. transfers of 81 mm mortar rounds to Ukraine, and Myanmar Civil War reporting of both SAC mortar fire and resistance drone drops.
Mortar launcher, 60mm, 60 mm light mortar launcher, ArtilleryArtilleryMortar launcher, 60mm60 mm light mortar launcherA 60 mm mortar launcher is a light infantry indirect-fire system built around a smoothbore, muzzle-loaded tube that can be used in conventional bipod-and-baseplate form or, on some modern systems, in reduced handheld or commando configurations. In the 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency, Nigerian reporting has documented 60 mm mortar tubes recovered from ISWAP fighters around Marte, Gajiram, Mandara Mountain, and the Timbuktu Triangle, while Conflict Armament Research has separately documented mortar materiel and captured 60 mm rounds among JAS/Boko Haram and ISWAP-linked seizures around Lake Chad. The recovered launcher models are not publicly identified, so this entry treats the item as a caliber-class system rather than a specific national model.

Sources

120 mm Mortar High Explosive RoundPublisher: Nammo | Note: Supports HE design, fin stabilization, fuze options, filling, mass, charge count, barrel-dependent range, pressure, and compatibility with standard smoothbore and Patria turreted systems when equipped with a stub case. | Accessed: 2026-07-04120mm HE MortarPublisher: KNDS | Note: Supports a modern 120 mm HE mortar-bomb example, including smoothbore-mortar use, Composition B filling, PD delay/superquick fuze, charge set, mass, length, range, and HE/HE-IM/ILL/SMK family context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Mortar AmmunitionPublisher: The United States Army | Note: Supports U.S. 120 mm smoke, illumination, and training mortar-ammunition family context, including M929, M930, M983, and M931. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Mortar Munitions and ComponentsPublisher: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | Note: Supports U.S. 120 mm mortar ammunition family context, including M934 HE, M929 smoke, XM930 illumination, M931 full-range training, and M933A1 HE compatibility with M120 and M121 mortar systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Mortar BombsPublisher: ST Engineering | Note: Supports 60/81/120 mm mortar-bomb family context, 120 mm HE/red-phosphorous smoke/illumination variants, ER 120 mm smoothbore compatibility, vehicle-mounted compatibility, and up-to-9 km ER range claim. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iron StingPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports precision-guided 120 mm mortar-munition variant context, including laser/GPS guidance, 1-12 km range depending on tube, multi-mode operation, warhead type, and fuze modes. | Accessed: 2026-07-04120 mm Mortar BombPublisher: MSM Group | Note: Supports manufacturer and specification context for 120 mm mortar bombs, including fin stabilization, mortar compatibility, dimensions, mass, explosive filling, and TNT bursting charge. | Accessed: 2026-07-04120 mm ROUND WITH HE-FRAG MORTAR BOMBPublisher: VMZ | Note: Supports the 120 mm HE-FRAG mortar bomb designation and the published compatibility line that includes PM-38 mortars. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Mortar Bomb 120mm HEPublisher: Agencija Alan | Note: Supports a Croatian 120 mm HE mortar-bomb example, including length, mass, TNT charge, fuze, charge count, range, muzzle velocity, and temperature range. | Accessed: 2026-07-04120mm MortarsPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports the 120 mm mortar launcher relationship by stating that qualified 120 mm ammunition is authorized for use in Elbit 120 mm mortar systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rosoboronexport at Eurosatory 2010Publisher: Army Guide | Note: Supports the relationship claim that the 2S23 Nona-SVK can fire 120 mm projectiles and mortar bombs, including Russian and foreign makes. | Accessed: 2026-07-04PM-38 (M1938) Russian 120mm Towed MortarPublisher: ODIN | Note: Supports the PM-38 designation and the 120 mm mortar ammunition relationship used in the pairing note. | Accessed: 2026-07-04120mm HE Mortar Bomb VOF-843BPublisher: Arcus JSC | Note: Supports 120 mm mortar-bomb compatibility with Mod. 1938, Mod. 1943, 2B11 Sani, and 2S12 Sani launchers. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rosoboronexport 120mm 2C12A Mortar SystemPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Supports 2S12/2C12A firing-system context as a 120 mm system built around the 2B11 mortar with 56 rounds carried. | Accessed: 2026-07-042S9 Nona-S ammunition listPublisher: Belspetsvneshtechnika | Note: Supports the 2S9 Nona firing-system relationship by listing all types of 120 mm mortar shells in the Nona-S ammunition set. | Accessed: 2026-07-04PPT Namenska MortarsPublisher: PPT Namenska | Note: Supports the M74 firing-system relationship through 120 mm M74 mortar data and maximum range with the 120 mm M62P3 mine. | Accessed: 2026-07-04120 mm M75 Mortar DatasheetPublisher: Yugoimport SDPR | Note: Supports the M75 firing-system relationship with 120 mm caliber and shell range data. | Accessed: 2026-07-04GDAMS brochurePublisher: ST Engineering | Note: Supports GDAMS compatibility with 81 mm and 120 mm qualified ammunition, including the Precision Guided 120 mm Mortar Bomb. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Impresionantes imágenes de los disparos de los M-113 portamorteros del Ejército EspañolPublisher: Outono.net | Note: Reports Spanish soldiers loading a 120 mm projectile for the ECIA L-65/120 mortar. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Ukrainian Armor Develops FPV Drone With 120mm Mortar RoundPublisher: Militarnyi | Note: Supports the carriedBy relationship by documenting a Ukrainian Armor wing-type FPV drone equipped with a 120 mm mortar round payload. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Weapon Supplies Fuelling Terrorism in the Lake Chad CrisisPublisher: Conflict Armament Research | Note: Supports 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency background by documenting weapons and ammunition seized from JAS/Boko Haram and ISWAP-linked groups around Lake Chad. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Troops kill 20 insurgents, capture 17, rescue 100 civiliansPublisher: The Guardian Nigeria | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use/recovered-materiel context: Nigerian Army reporting said troops recovered two 120 mm mortar bombs during Lake Chad basin operations against Boko Haram terrorists. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Boko Haram suffers heavy casualty, loses vehicles, arms to soldiersPublisher: P.M. News Nigeria | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use/recovered-materiel context: reproduces the Nigerian Army statement listing two 120 mm mortar bombs among weapons and ammunition recovered from Boko Haram terrorists. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Boko Haram terrorists abandon vehicles, arms, equipments and fleePublisher: Vanguard News | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency corroboration: reports the Nigerian Army account that Boko Haram terrorists abandoned materiel and that troops recovered two 120 mm mortar bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-0440th Cavalry Regiment soldier loads 120 mm mortar roundPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing for the primary 120 mm mortar-round image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Morris shoots a 120 mm mortar roundPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing for a 120 mm mortar-round firing image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th MarinesPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing for a 120 mm mortar-round loading image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04