Universal Mortar UB M52


The Universal Mortar UB M52 is a 120 mm mortar that was developed by Military Technical Institute Belgrade of Serbia then in former Yugoslavia. It is long-range heavy mortar and represents further development of Universal Mortar M38 but with integral wheels carriage.

Design overview

First development versions prior UB M52 are known under designation BB-3, brdski bacač 3. 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:

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:
and other shells in 120mm in accordance with barrel pressure.

Operators