Cardom

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Cardom
Cardom 120 mm recoil mortar system
TypeRecoil mortar system
Service history
In service2003-present
Used byUS army, IDF, NATO forces and more
Wars
Production history
ManufacturerSoltam Systems
Specifications
Caliber81 mm or 120 mm
Rate of fire16 rounds per min, 4 rpm sustained

The Cardom (English: Hatchet) is an Israeli 81 mm/120 mm Recoil Mortar System (RMS), manufactured by Soltam Systems. It is used by the US Army, the Israel Defence Forces, NATO countries, and others. The Cardom is an autonomous, computerized system for mounting on light and medium armored carriers. The system provides accurate and effective fire support.

Overview[edit]

The system uses a new Computerized Integrated Navigation and Self Positioning and Aiming systems. Its modern Target Acquisition Devices together with a specially designed Recoiling Mortar System, attenuates the firing loads and enables mounting the systems on wheeled and tracked AFV's, or even soft-skinned vehicles such as trucks. The CARDOM Aiming mechanisms are linked to state-of-the-art command, control and communication systems, to achieve quick response automatic laying mode. The IDF delivered Cardom system takes target acquisition data, that provides range, bearing, position and other data from an observation point and transmits it directly to the Cardom system. Using electrical servo motors the mortar barrel is then set at the exact traverse and elevation angles ready for firing.

IDF "Keshet" 120mm mortar.

The 120 mm Cardom has a burst rate of 16 rpm, followed by a 4 rpm sustained rate of fire. The Cardom Recoil Mortar System has been qualified for fielding with the 3rd US Army Stryker brigade, and will be coupled to the US Army's M95 Mortar Fire Control System on the M1129 Mortar Carrier. So far over 320 mortar systems have been manufactured for the U.S. Army.

Performance[edit]

Cardom on a US M1129 Mortar Carrier in operation in Iraq
  • Range: 7,000-8,000 meters
  • Calibre: 120/81mm smoothbore and rifled
  • Max rate of fire : 16 rounds per minute
  • Traverse (deg) : 360
  • Shoot of first round: less than 30 sec
  • Crew : 2-4 dependent on carrier
  • Dual mode : mounted and dismounted

Operators[edit]

120 mm Cardom 10 recoil mortar system fired from Piranha V of the Royal Danish Army.
 Azerbaijan
 Bahrain
 Cameroon
 Denmark
 Israel
 Kazakhstan
 Portugal
 Philippines
 Spain
 Thailand
 Uganda
 United States
 Zambia

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Mortars on the move (Report). Armada International. August 3, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  2. ^ "EIMOS CARDOM 81mm gallery | Weapons Parade | EIMOS CARDOM". Weapons Parade (in Spanish). 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  3. ^ "Tung mortér - Cardom 10". Forsvaret (The Danish Defence). Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Elbit Systems to supply Israeli Army with Cardom mortar systems for approximately $40 million". Army Recignition. September 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Elbit Systems to supply Israeli Ministry of Defense with Cardom 120mm mortar artillery". Army Recignition. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  6. ^ "Report: Elbit Systems to Upgrade M113 APCs for Philippine Army". 31 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Elbit Systems won contract to supply CARDOM 81 mm autonomous recoil mortar for Spanish Army". Army Recignition. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  8. ^ "Jane - Defense & Security 2022: Royal Thai Army expands artillery production".
  9. ^ "Zambian military parades new equipment".

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Video[edit]