How a simple metal tube setup can rain death on the bad guys
SUMMARY
To an infantry squad leader, having the powerful tool of "mortars-on-station" gains allied forces a massive battlefield advantage. Setting up the weapon system can be fast and flawless with a well-trained crew.
A mortar tube is comprised of an elongated, closed metal tube mounted on a base plate.
On the bottom of the mortar tube is a fixed firing pin. Once a mortar shell is loaded and dropped into the tube, it slides down and strikes the firing pin which causes the mortar's propellant to ignite creating gas pressure — launching that sucker at the bad guys.
Simple, right? (Images via Giphy)Related: This is the dummy's guide to the rail gun
The mortar round itself is made up of several vital but straightforward parts.
Its main components are made up of the impact fuse at the top – which triggers the exploder – followed by the high-explosive filler in the central portion of the body.
The anatomy of a mortar round. (Images via Giphy)The propellant charges are made up of two components: The primary charge and augmented charges — both located in the tail section.The augmented charges can be added or removed based on the speed or range the mortarman wishes it to travel.
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Modern mortars are designed to provide short-range indirect fire at high angles, typically between 45 and 80 degrees. They are relatively light-weight in nature making them more accessible to carry while on a foot patrol. It's much better than hauling a 155mm Howitzer artillery shell.
That sh*t is heavy.
In the event the bad guys do get "froggy," the mortarmen on the ground can quickly and efficiently set up the mortar system while the infantrymen accurately get a fix on the enemy's position and make it rain 81mm mortar — it's a beautiful spectacle.
Check out Military History Visualized's video below to get the complete visual mortar breakdown for yourself.
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