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M125A1
M125A2

Armored Self-propelled 81mm Mortar Carrier M125A11-5

M125A1: General
Total acceptances 2,252
Manufacturer FMC Corp. Crew 6 men
M125A1: Dimensions
Combat weight 24,527lbs
11,125kg		 Height to top of MG pintle 86.5"
220cm
Maximum overall length 191.5"
486.4cm		 Maximum overall width 106"
269cm
Tread 85.0"
216cm		 Ground clearance 16.125"
40.958cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 7.8psi
.55kg/cm²
M125A1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
81mm Mortar M29 or M29A1 Passenger compartment 114 rounds 6400 mils
(manual)		 +1500 mils to +700 mils
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on cupola mount 600 rounds 360°
(manual)		 Manual
Aiming equipment
Sightunit M34A2 or M53 for gunner
Night vision
Infrared periscope M19 for driver
M125A1: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminum armor
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 1.5"
3.8cm		 45°
Lower front 1.5"
3.8cm		 30°
Upper sides 1.75"
4.45cm		 0°
Lower sides 1.25"
3.18cm		 0°
Rear 1.5"
3.8cm		 9°
Ramp 1.5"
3.8cm		 8°
Top 1.5"
3.8cm		 90°
Floor 1.125"
2.858cm		 90°
M125A1: Automotive
Engine General Motors 6V53; 6 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee diesel
Horsepower Gross: 212@2,800rpm Torque Gross: 492 ft-lb@1,300rpm Fuel capacity 95gal
360L
Transmission Allison TX-100, 3 ranges forward, 1 reverse
Steering DS200 controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Differential band
M125A1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 5 individually sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
10-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first and last road wheels/track
M125A1: Track
T130E1
Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track Left side: 63
Right side: 64		 Ground contact length 105"
267cm
M125A1: Performance
Max level road speed 40mph
64kph		 Max water speed 3.0mph
4.8kph
Max trench 66"
170cm		 Max grade 60%
Max sideslope 30% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning radius 12.8'
3.90m		 Max fording depth Floats
Cruising range ~300mi, roads
~480km, roads

The M125A1 was based on the the M113A1 APC, and shared the same modifications as the M106A1 107mm self-propelled mortar since the 81mm and 107mm mortars were interchangeable. Horizontal stowage racks on the right side of the passenger compartment held 78 mortar rounds, and 36 more rounds were stowed in vertical racks on the left side of the rear compartment. A fuze rack welded to the fuel compartment wall held 80 fuzes. The elevation limit on the mortar was actually 5° beyond the scope of the firing table to account for the carrier being parked on a slope of up to 5°. The ground mount for the mortar was stowed on the vehicle's roof. The M125, based on the M113, was not released for production.

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Armored Self-propelled 81mm Mortar Carrier M125A21-2

M125A2: General
Manufacturer FMC Corp. Crew 6 men
M125A2: Dimensions
Combat weight 25,410lbs
11,530kg		 Height over MG 99.25"
252.1cm
Length 191.5"
486.4cm		 Width 105.75"
268.60cm
Tread 85.0"
216cm		 Ground clearance 17.1"
43.4cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 8.1psi
.57kg/cm²
M125A2: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
81mm Mortar M252 Passenger compartment 114 rounds 360°
(manual)		 Manual
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on cupola mount 600 rounds 360°
(manual)		 Manual
Aiming equipment
Sightunit M34A2 or M53 for gunner
Night vision
Infrared periscope M19 for driver
M125A2: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminum armor
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 1.5"
3.8cm		 45°
Lower front 1.5"
3.8cm		 30°
Upper sides 1.75"
4.45cm		 0°
Lower sides 1.25"
3.18cm		 0°
Rear 1.5"
3.8cm		 9°
Ramp 1.5"
3.8cm		 8°
Top 1.5"
3.8cm		 90°
Floor 1.125"
2.858cm		 90°
M125A2: Automotive
Engine General Motors 6V53; 6 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee diesel
Horsepower Gross: 212@2,800rpm Torque Gross: 492 ft-lb@1,300rpm Fuel capacity 95gal
360L
Transmission Allison TX-100, 3 ranges forward, 1 reverse
Steering DS200 controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Differential band
M125A2: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 5 individually sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
10-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first, second, and last road wheels/track
M125A2: Track
T130E1
Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track Left side: 63
Right side: 64		 Ground contact length 105"
267cm
T150
Center guide, double pin, steel with chevron rubber pad
Width 14.81"
37.62cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track Left side: 63
Right side: 64		 Ground contact length 105"
267cm
M125A2: Performance
Max level road speed 40mph
64kph		 Max water speed 3.6mph
5.8kph
Max trench 66"
170cm		 Max grade 60%
Max sideslope 30% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 26'
7.9m		 Max fording depth Floats
Cruising range ~300mi, roads
~480km, roads

The M125A2 was based on the M113A2.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. Reprinted with permission from Bradley, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1999, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  3. TM 9-2300-257-10 Operator's Manual Carrier, Personnel, Full Tracked, Armored, M113A1 2350-968-6321; Carrier, Command Post, Light, Tracked, M577A1 2350-056-6808; Carrier, Mortar, 107-mm, Self-propelled, M106A1 2350-076-9002; Carrier, Mortar, 81-mm, Self-propelled, M125A1 2350-071-0732; Carrier, Flame Thrower, Self-propelled, M132A1 2350-056-6809; Recovery Vehicle, Full Tracked, Light Armored: XM806E1 2350-808-6104. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 18 December 1973.
  4. TM 55-2350-224-14 Transport Guidance M113 Family of Vehicles (M113A2, M113A3, M106A2, M125A2, M548A1, M577A2, M667, M730A2, M741A1, M901A1, M981, M1015A1, M1059, M1064, AND M1068). Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 1 February 1993.
  5. TM 43-0001-31 Equipment Data Sheets for TARCOM Equipment. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 10 July 1978.
Last updated 8 Jan 2024.
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© Copyright 2001-24 Chris Conners