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').[1] 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.[2]
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.
M52A in Kalemegdan fortresses open museum
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
Maximum range:
6,100 metres (20,000 ft) with light shell - 7,460 metres (24,480 ft) with heavy shell
Minimum range:
195 metres (640 ft) with heavy shell
Weight:
378.0 kilograms (833.3 lb) without ammunition
400.0 kilograms (881.8 lb) when mounted on trailer
Rate of fire:
25 rounds/min first minute
Crew:
5
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
and other shells in 120mm in accordance with barrel pressure.
