Extract
Lighter, Smarter and on the Move.
At first sight, the modern mortar looks very similar to those early models first proposed by Wilfred (later Sir Wilfred) Stokes back in 1916. As so often in life, first impressions can be deceptive for the modern mortar is now a very involved beast. Modern mortars are far more capable, longer-ranging, versatile and mobile than even their most avid exponents would have credited only a couple of decades ago.
While simple smooth-bore barrels remain mounted on recoil-absorbing baseplates and relatively uncomplicated supports, the mortar has undergone a series of gradual enhancements that have almost removed it from its traditional infantry fire support function into, in some instances, that of light artillery, together with all the projectile guidance and fire control refinements now normally associated with artillery. Size Mortars remain categorised into three main calibre-based groups. At the bottom of the scale are the light infantry mortars, normally deployed at company or platoon level. This company/platoon split has resulted in two types of weapon in this category, usually having a calibre of 60 mm but there are a few in the 50 to 52 mm bracket. The simplest are the so-called Commando mortars, the most portable and simplest of the g...See the full content of this document
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