M252 mortar

M252
M252 mortar
TypeMortar
Place of originUnited Kingdom (designed)
United States (manufactured)
Service history
In service1987–present (United States)[1]
Used bySee Operators
WarsVietnam War (prototype model)
Soviet–Afghan War
Gulf War
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Syrian Civil War
Specifications
Mass41.3 kilograms (91 lb)
Length50 in (127 cm)
Barrel length1.27 metres (4 ft 2 in)
Crew5

Caliber81 millimetres (3.2 in)
Elevation45°–85.2°
Traverse5.6°
Rate of fire8–16 rpm sustained
20–30 rpm in exceptional circumstances and for short periods
Effective firing rangeHE: 91–5,935 m
(99–6,490.6 yd)[1]
Feed systemmuzzle-loaded

The M252 81 mm medium weight mortar is a British-designed smooth bore, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for long-range indirect fire support to light infantry, air assault, and airborne units across the entire front of a battalion zone of influence. In the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, it is normally deployed in the mortar platoon of an infantry battalion.

  1. ^ a b "Fact File: M252A1 Mortar". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 23 November 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2017.