mortar bombs lesson 25 6 periods. introduction a mortar is a smooth-bore, muzzle- loading, infantry...

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: 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: or

NATO:Designation and calibre

Chinese:Designation and calibre – mix Chinese and

EnglishEgyptian 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 Remove for disposal at CDS

MISFIRE 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 Remove for disposal at CDS

MISFIRE 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 Remove for disposal at CDS

MISFIRE 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