Universal Mortar UB M52

The Universal Mortar UB M52 is a 120 mm (4.75 inch) mortar that was developed by Military Technical Institute, in former Yugoslavia. It is long-range heavy mortar developed from the Soviet M1938 mortar but with integral wheels carriage.

Design overview

First development versions prior UB M52 are known under designation BB-3, brdski bacač 3 (Serbian: брдски бацач, lit. 'mountain mortar'). The Universal Mortar UB M52 is developed from 1948 to 1951 and fires fin-stabilized ammunition from a smoothbore barrel. It is first mortar with capabilities to fire with wheels mounted. It has hydraulic muzzle attached to barrel to reduce pressure. M52 because of its weight require trucks or other vehicle to move them to battlefield, but compared to field artillery it is lighter. It can be deployed on battlefield in less than a minute.

Variants

M52 has 4 variants:

basic variant M52
improved variant M52A1 - reduced weight with some smaller parts, used rubber instead of leather for parts, new hydraulic fluid
improved variant M52A2 - has one cylinder less with improved muzzle
improved variant M52A3 - new hydraulic fluid with included fluid level indicator
improved variant M52A4 - pneumatic tires.

Deployment

Universal Mortar UB M52 was in service with the Yugoslav People's Army since 1952. After dissolution of Yugoslavia it is passed on successor states. It is exported to numerous countries and produced in few thousand pieces.

The M52 was transported with horses, TAM-4500, Pinzgauer 710M and many or other vehicles capable to attach trailer.

Specifications

The M52 is capable of firing the following munitions:

High explosive shells
- HE mortar shell M62P8
- HE mortar shell Mk12P1
- HE mortar shell Mk12P1-L
Illumination shells
- Illumination mortar shell M87P1
- Illumination mortar shell M01
Smoke shells
- Smoke mortar shell M64P2
- Smoke mortar shell M64P3
- Smoke mortar shell Mk12
- Smoke mortar shell M89
Practice shells
- Practice mortar shell M63P2