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M252 mortar
British-designed medium weight mortar / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
M252 | |
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![]() M252 mortar | |
Type | Mortar |
Place of origin | United Kingdom (designed) United States (manufactured) |
Service history | |
In service | 1987–present (United States)[1] |
Used by | See Operators |
Wars | Vietnam War (prototype model) Soviet–Afghan War Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War Syrian Civil War |
Specifications | |
Mass | 41.3 kilograms (91 lb) |
Length | 50 in (127 cm) |
Barrel length | 1.27 metres (4 ft 2 in) |
Crew | 5 |
Caliber | 81 millimetres (3.2 in) |
Elevation | 45°–85.2° |
Traverse | 5.6° |
Rate of fire | 8–16 rpm sustained 20–30 rpm in exceptional circumstances and for short periods |
Effective firing range | HE: 91–5,935 m (99–6,490.6 yd)[1] |
Feed system | muzzle-loaded |
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