Mortar Bombs Lesson 25 6 Periods

Introduction A MORTAR is a smooth-bore, muzzle-loading, infantry weapon.

Objective Identify Evaluate Select appropriate RSP

Calibres found in Afghanistan 2 inch – British – Pak or Indian copies 60mm - Chinese 81mm – Egyptian, NATO, Yugoslavia 82mm – FSU, Chinese 120mm – FSU 160mm – FSU 240mm - FSU

Tactical Role HE Fragmentation Illuminating Smoke WP Screening Smoke

Fragmentation Used against personnel and materiel Providing both fragmentation and blast effect. All calibres found in Afghanistan

Make-Up

Make-Up

Markings FSU and Chinese: Egyptian: NATO: OBC is grey or olive drab with black markings Egyptian: OBC is black with yellow hazard band around nose NATO: OBC is dark green with yellow hazard band and stencilling

Markings FSU: NATO: Chinese: Egyptian is in ARABIC  or  Designation and calibre Chinese: Designation and calibre – mix Chinese and English Egyptian is in ARABIC

Method of Functioning When the mortar bomb is loaded, it slides down the mortar tube until the percussion primer in the ignition cartridge strikes the firing pin in the base cap of the mortar. The flash from the primer ignites the primary cartridge, and the cartridge ignites the augmenting charge.

Method of Functioning Rapidly expanding gases from the burning propellant expel (push) the mortar bomb from the mortar tube and propel it to the target. The mortar bomb is fin-stabilized in flight. On Firing, the setback allows the fuze to start arming by freeing the safety mechanism. During Flight, the striker moves forward, under the impulse of the striker spring, to free the shutter. The shutter moves into the armed position under the action of its spring.

Method of Functioning The point-detonating fuze functions on impact, detonating the fuze booster charge and, in turn, the high explosive charge. The high explosive charge shatters the projectile body, producing near optimum fragmentation and blast effect at the target.

Evaluation of Arming State Check percussion primer on base: If STRUCK, assume fired, therefore ARMED If NOT struck, assume nor fired, therefore UNARMED Check gas vent holes in tail unit: If still INTACT and primer not struck, assume UNARMED If burnt through assume ARMED If INTACT and primer is STRUCK, assume MISFIRE Check general condition

EOD RSP UNARMED MISFIRE ARMED Remove for disposal at CDS Treat as ARMED ARMED Attempt to remove fuze remotely OR Destroy in Situ

Final Disposal 82mm Yugoslavian NEQ: 680g

Associated Fuzes Chinese Fuze – PD - MP1B (60 & 82mm) FSU & Chinese Fuze – PD - M6 (82mm) FSU – PD - GVMZ7 (120 & 160mm) FSU – PD - M5 & M5M (120 & 82mm)

Most Common Mortar Fuze - M6

British 2” Mortars NEQ: 170g

Pakistan 51mm Mortar NEQ: 100g

Chinese 60mm Type 27 NEQ: 100g

Yugoslavian 60mm M73 NEQ: 220g

Egyptian 81mm NEQ: 554g

Typical NATO 81mm NEQ: 720 to 960g

FSU 82mm NEQ: 435g

Egyptian 82mm NEQ: 440g

Chinese 82mm NEQ: 392g

FSU 120mm NEQ: 1.58 to 2.7kg

FSU 240mm NEQ: 50kg

Illuminating Used for lighting up a desired point or area. Normally only FSU 82mm and 120mm found in Afghanistan.

Make-Up: FSU 82mm

Make-Up - FSU 120mm

Markings OBC is grey or olive drab with white band and black markings  in Cyrillic which is S in English

Method of Functioning When the mortar bomb is loaded, it slides down the mortar tube until the percussion primer in the ignition cartridge strikes the firing pin in the base cap of the mortar. The flash from the primer ignites the primary cartridge, and the cartridge ignites the augmenting charge.

Method of Functioning Rapidly expanding gases from the burning propellant expel (push) the mortar bomb from the mortar tube and propel it to the target. The mortar bomb is fin-stabilized in flight.

Method of Functioning At a pre-set time the fuze functions in flight. The expulsion charge ignites and ejects the candle assembly. A spring ejects the parachute from the tail cone. The parachute opens, slowing the descent of the burning candle which illuminates the target.

Evaluation of Arming State Check percussion primer on base: If STRUCK, assume fired, therefore ARMED If NOT struck, assume nor fired, therefore UNARMED Check gas vent holes in tail unit: If still INTACT and primer not struck, assume UNARMED If burnt through assume ARMED If INTACT and primer is STRUCK, assume MISFIRE Check general condition

EOD RSP UNARMED MISFIRE ARMED Remove for disposal at CDS Treat as ARMED ARMED Attempt to remove fuze remotely OR Destroy in Situ – do NOT use a shaped charge

Final Disposal

Associated Fuzes Fuze Time: TSQ, Model T-1, 82 & 120mm Incorporates a time combustible element and a PD element

Possible – 2” British Copy

82mm

120mm

Smoke Used for obscuring an area. Also used for spotting or target indication Normally only FSU and Yugoslavian 82mm and FSU 120mm found in Afghanistan

Make-Up: FSU 82mm

Make-Up

Markings OBC is grey or olive drab with black band and black markings  in Cyrillic which is D in English Main difference in make-up is adapter ring at neck – always look for this when checking for markings

Method of Functioning When the mortar bomb is loaded, it slides down the mortar tube until the percussion primer in the ignition cartridge strikes the firing pin in the base cap of the mortar. The flash from the primer ignites the primary cartridge, and the cartridge ignites the augmenting charge.

Method of Functioning Rapidly expanding gases from the burning propellant expel (push) the mortar bomb from the mortar tube and propel it to the target. The mortar bomb is fin-stabilized in flight.

Method of Functioning On impact, the fuze functions. The fuze initiates the burster charge. The burster charge ruptures the body and disperses the WP filler. The WP produces smoke upon exposure to the air. The WP mortar bomb uses the same fuze as the HE fragmentation

Evaluation of Arming State Check percussion primer on base: If STRUCK, assume fired, therefore ARMED If NOT struck, assume nor fired, therefore UNARMED Check gas vent holes in tail unit: If still INTACT and primer not struck, assume UNARMED If burnt through assume ARMED If INTACT and primer is STRUCK, assume MISFIRE Check general condition

EOD RSP UNARMED MISFIRE ARMED Remove for disposal at CDS Treat as ARMED ARMED Attempt to remove fuze remotely OR Destroy in Situ

Final Disposal

Safety Considerations Ensure the WP is not leaking before moving it in a vehicle. Carry the munition in a sealed water container ensuring the munition is immersed in the water. Rake the soil carefully after destroying a WP munition in-situ. Go back and rake the next three days. Remember WP is toxic smoke and is harmful.

British 2” Smoke

82mm

120mm