M106



Overview


M106 mortar carrier

US Army M106 mortar carrier shown with roof hatches open. Note the bipod and baseplate carried on the side of the vehicle.
Source: US Army - © Public domain

Origin
United States
Type
Self-propelled mortar
Entered service
1961
Status
Limited service
Development
Late 1950's
Developer
United States - FMC Corporation
Production
1960 - 1970's?
Producer
United States - FMC Corporation
Number produced
862 M106
1.409 M106A1
350 M106A2
Designations
Carrier, Mortar, 107 mm, Self-propelled, M106
Notable users
United States
Taiwan

Variants


M106 mortar carrier

US soldier seen loading a shell into the 107mm M30 mortar within a M106 mortar carrier during a live fire exercise in 1989.
Source: US Army - © Public domain

List of M106 variants

M106
First operational variant of the M106. Based on the original M113 chassis with Chrysler 75M petrol engine. Total of 860 vehicles produced. All variants of the M106 look very similar from the outside.
M106A1
Second production model, which is based on the M113A1 chassis with 6V53 diesel engine. Firepower and utility is practically similar to the M106, although five less shells are carried. About 1.400 were produced.
M106A2
The M106A2 features the improved suspension and engine cooling as used on the M113A2. Also the maximum elevation of the mount was increased, allowing the full range of the M30 mortar to be achieved while the vehicle is level. A total of 350 were in M106A2 standard. Unknown if these were produced new from factory or converted from M106A1.

Details


Facts M106 M106A1 M106A2
General
Origin
United States
Type
Self-propelled mortar
Crew
6
Dimensions
Weight
11.7 t combat load
Length
4.93 m
Width
2.69 m hull
2.87 m with stowage, including base plate
Height
2.50 m over MG
Main armament
Type
107mm M30 mortar
Mount
Turntable mount in rear compartment, firing through roof hatches
Ammunition
93 shells
Elevation
+42° to +63°, manual
Traverse
43° left to 46° right, manual
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount
Ammunition
600 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels
Layout
Drive sprocket front, idler rear
Tread
2.16 m
Track width
0.38 m
Length on ground
2.67 m
Ground pressure
0.58 kg/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine model
Chrysler 75M
Engine type
8-cylinder petrol
Power output
215 hp at 4.000 rpm
Transmission
TX-200-2A, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
320 L
Mobility
Speed
61 km/h on road
6 km/h afloat
Range
340 km on road
Turn radius
3.9 m
Power to weight ratio
18.4 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.41 m
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
1.7 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Aluminum
Armor thickness
38 - 45 mm
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, M19 infrared periscope for driver

Subcomponents


107mm M30 mortar

The 107mm, or 4.2 inch, M30 rifled mortar is the main armament of the M106. It is mounted on a turntable, but a separate base plate allows it to be used outside the vehicle. When installed on the turntable mount it cannot reach its maximum elevation and range. This was corrected on the M106A2 model. A field expedient solution was to park the M106 at an angle to allow for maximum elevation.

M113 armored personnel carrier

The M106 is based on the chassis and hull of the M113 tracked armored personnel carrier. This allows for parts commonality and reduced production cost. The M106A1 and M106A2 variants feature the same upgrades as found on the M113A1 and M113A2 respectively.

Browning M2HB

For self-defense a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is mounted on the roof. This uses a similar ring mount as on the M113. The main difference is that less ammunition for the M2HB is carried on the M106.

Media


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M1064

The M1064 is the successor to the M106 in US military service. The M1064A3 is based on the updated M113A3 chassis and features a 120mm mortar.