M224 mortar

The M224 60 mm Lightweight Mortar is a smooth boremuzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for close-in support of ground troops.

The M224 system is composed of the

  • M225 Cannon – 14.4 lb (7 kg)
  • M170 Bipod – 15.2 lb (7 kg)
  • M7 Baseplate for use in conventional mode – 14.4 lb (7 kg) or
    • M8 baseplate for use in handheld mode – 3.6 lb (2 kg)
  • and the M64A1 Sight Unit – 2.5 lb (1 kg)

The mount consists of a bipod and a base plate, which is provided with screw type elevating and traversing mechanisms to elevate/traverse the mortar. The M64A1 sight unit is attached to the bipod mount. The mortar can be fired in the conventional mode or the handheld mode. This smooth-bore system can be gravity-fired or fired by using a manual spring-loaded firing system.

It is typically fielded at the infantry company level.

Specifications
Weight 21.1 kilograms (47 lb)
Barrel length 1 meter (3.3 feet)
Crew 3
Caliber 60 mm (2.4 in)
Rate of fire up to 20 rpm sustained, 30 rpm in exceptional circumstances and for short periods
Effective range HE: 70–3,490 m
(76–3,816 yds)
Feed system manual

Source

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