L16 81mm Mortar Totally Explained

Everything about L16 81mm Mortar totally explained

The United Kingdom's L16 81 mm mortar is the standard mortar used by the British army. The version used by the U.S. armed forces is known as the M252. It was introduced in 1965/6 replacing the Ordnance ML 3 inch Mortar.
In armoured or mechanised battalions the L16 mortar is mounted on a vehicle, usually the FV 432 AFV. In light role battalions it's normally carried on a vehicle but fired from the ground. It can also be broken down and man-packed by the mortar detachment, but this is pretty unpleasant for all involved and is generally to be avoided. The ammunition in this case would be carried by the rest of the battalion - each man carrying two greenies (four bombs) in addition to his own personal kit.

Characteristics

Barrel (L16A1):
- Caliber: 81 mm
- Length: 1.27 m
- Weight: 13.0 kg

Bipod (L5A5):

Elevation range: 800 to 1515 mils
Traverse range: 100 mils either side of centre
Weight: 12.9 kg

Base Plate:

Diameter: 0.55 m
Weight: 11.6 kg
Traverse range: 6400 mils

Sight Unit: C2 Trilux

Accuracy: 2 mils
Weight: 3.1kg; in case: 3.8 kg
Telescope field of view: 180 mils
Telescope magnification: 1.7x

Ammunition Types:

Illumination: L54A1, Fuse: DM93(M)
High Explosive (HE): L41A1, Fuse: L127A3 and L41A2, Fuse: M935
Smoke (White Phosphorous): L42A1, Fuse: M935

Ammunition Weight:

HE: 4.5 kg
WP: 4.5 kg
Illumination L54: 4.6 kg

Rates of Fire:

Between 1 and 12 rounds per minute.
Up to 20 rounds per minute in exceptional circumstances and for short periods.

Method of Fire:

Indirect
Direct, in special circumstances.

Range:

HE / WP:
- Minimum - 100 metres (Mk 4 Charge System)
- Maximum - 5675 metres (Mk 4 Charge System)
Illumination: (L54A1)
- Minimum - 400 metres
- Maximum - 4800 metres

Operators

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Canada

Guyana

India

Japan

Kenya

Malawi

Malaysia

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nigeria

Norway

Oman

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States Of America

Yemen

Further Information

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