Does the US Army still use mortars?
Light forces use wheeled vehicles or hand carry mortars into firing positions. The 81-mm mortars, M29A1 and M252, are the current US medium mortars. The M252 is replacing the M29A1, but both will remain in the Army inventory for several years. Medium mortars offer a compromise between the light and heavy mortars.
What is the purpose of mortars?
They launch explosive shells (technically called bombs) in high-arcing ballistic trajectories. Mortars are typically used as indirect fire weapons for close fire support with a variety of ammunition.
How are mortars aimed?
They are fired at targets which are close, as mortars do not have long range. It has a short barrel which fires the mortar bomb at a low speed high into the air to reach its target. They are called an indirect fire weapon because the bomb drops onto the target from above, rather than being aimed straight at it.
Why do mortar shells whistle?
Artillery shells are large bullets traveling through the air at high speed, force air or cutting through the air. Pushing the air around the nose creates friction and produces the whistle.
Are mortars obsolete?
But a weapon that had not been used for nearly 250 years became one of the most important weapons for trench warfare. Mortars—short-range artillery weapons designed to lob bombs—had been introduced in 1673 to blow up forts but had rarely been used since the eighteenth century.
Can a mortar take out a tank?
The 0.23-to-0.47-inch (5.8 to 11.9 mm) thick armor generally prevented penetration by small arms fire and shell fragments. However, even a near miss from field artillery or an impact from a mortar HE round could easily disable or destroy the tank: if the fuel tank was ruptured, it could incinerate the tank’s crew.
How did soldiers aim mortars?
They will order the mortar or mortars to aim at the DAP with a certain angle on the sight. The angle will be left/right and up/down. You set the dial, then level the bubbles in the sight. On Command you will fire a round.
Do mortars explode on impact?
Whether a mortar projectile explodes on impact depends on the fuze and the setting. If fitted with an impact fuze, it detonates on impact. If fitted with a proximity fuze, it can be set to “air-burst” at some distance above the ground, enhancing lethality against dug-in troops. Yes.
How do you communicate with a mortar team?
The best way to do this is to have someone that can see the enemy radio the mortar team and tell the mortar team where the enemy is, what they are doing ect. When the mortar fires the observer can tell the mortar team where they are hitting and how to adjust their fire so they hit the enemy. This is how it used to be. Technology is changing this.
How do you tell the enemy where the mortar section is?
Regardless, the observer should be able to pass on where the enemy is to the mortar (or artillery) unit. It is usually best to tell the mortar section where the enemy is at rather than the FO (Forward Observer). Misunderstanding the transmission can mean the mortars will fire at the FO’s location thinking it is the enemy location.
What are the advantages of using a mortar in war?
Mortars work very well against dismounted infantry and light vehicles but against tanks and armored personnel carriers their use is limited. The mortar is good for more than just ‘blowing up’ the enemy. There are numerous types of mortar rounds that are usually available. High explosives are the most common.
What are the characteristics of a mortar?
Mortars are also a favored weapon of guerrillas and terrorists. A mortar does not have to see the target to fire at it. Mortars can fire over hills, buildings, rivers, ect. A mortar crew usually consists of at least three members. The gunner controls the deflection and elevation of the D&E mechanism.