81mm Mortar

Mortar in use

The mortar 81 millimetre (mm) F2 is a crew-served, indirect fire support (FS) weapon. It's main characteristics are:

Firepower. The mortar is distinguished from other indirect fire systems by its capability to sustain a high rate of fire using a variety of ammunition.

Mobility. The mortar is primarily a man-portable weapon system that can also be deployed using other agencies such as helicopters, wheeled vehicles or armoured personnel carrier mortar vehicles [APC(M)]. In the man-pack mode additional personnel are required to carry ammunition.

Vulnerability. The mortar is easily detectable by its distinctive noise and flash when firing. It is extremely vulnerable to detection by weapon locating radar because of the long time of flight, high trajectory and slow velocity of its ammunition. Mortar crews are generally not capable of defending themselves whilst simultaneously conducting missions.

Flexibility. The mortar can fire at ranges from 200 metres (m) to 4900 m depending upon the type of ammunition used. The barrel can be rotated and fired in any direction by moving the bipod.

The principal components of the mortar are the:

a. base plate,
b. barrel, and
c. bipod.

Mortar Line -Afghanistan