L16 81mm Mortar

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. The version produced and used by Australia is named the F2 81mm Mortar.

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 is 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 (3.18 in)
**Length: 1.27 m (4.16 ft)
**Weight: 13.0 kg (28.66 lbs)

*Bipod (L5A5):
**Elevation range: 800 to 1515 mils
**Traverse range: 100 mils either side of centre
**Weight: 12.9 kg (28.43 lbs)

*Base Plate:
**Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft)
**Weight: 11.6 kg (25.5 lbs)
**Traverse range: 6400 mils

*Sight Unit: C2 Trilux
**Accuracy: 2 mils
**Weight: 3.1kg (6.83 lbs); in case: 3.8 kg (8.37 lbs)
**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 (9.92 lbs)
**WP: 4.5 kg (9.92 lbs))
**Illumination L54: 4.6 kg (10.14 lbs)

*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 (109 yds) (Mk 4 Charge System)
***Maximum - 5,675 metres (6,206 yds)(Mk 4 Charge System)
**Illumination: (L54A1)
***Minimum - 400 metres (437.4 yds)
***Maximum - 4,800 metres (5,249 yds)

Operators

External links

* [http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/support-weapons/1469.aspx British army site on 81 mm mortar]