M224 Mortar
Encyclopedia
The M224 60 mm Lightweight Mortar
is a smooth bore
, muzzle-loading
, high-angle-of-fire weapon
used for close-in support of ground troops.
The mount consists of a bipod and a base plate which is provided with screw type elevating and traversing mechanisms to elevate/traverse the mortar. The M64A1 sight unit is attached to the bipod mount. The mortar can be fired in the conventional mode or handheld mode. This smooth-bore system can be gravity-fired or fired by using a manual spring-loaded firing system.
It is typically fielded at the infantry company level
.
) 60 mm M2 Mortar
and M19 Mortar
. These weapons only had an effective range of 2,200 yards (2,000 m). While the M224 was designed to fire all types of the older ammunition
, its primary rounds are of the newer, longer-range type (up to 3,489 m).
In 2011 an improved version of the M224 was fielded, the M224A1. The M224A1 consists of the M225A1 tube, M170A1 bipod assembly, M7A1 baseplate, M8 auxiliary baseplate and the M67 sight unit. The weight of the mortar was lowered by 9.3 lb or 20 percent by reducing the number of components and by using lighter materials such as aluminium and Kevlar reinforced with composites. The US Army plans to replace all legacy M224s eventually with the new M224A1. At the same time, a lighter version of the M252 mortar
was developed.
:
types: The Multioption Fuze (M734
) and the Point-Detonating Fuze (M525). The M734
is used for the M720 HE round and can be set to function as proximity burst, near-surface burst, impact burst, or delay burst.
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
is a smooth bore
Smoothbore
A smoothbore weapon is one which has a barrel without rifling. Smoothbores range from handheld firearms to powerful tank guns and large artillery mortars.-History of firearms and rifling:...
, muzzle-loading
Muzzleloader
A muzzleloader is any firearm into which the projectile and usually the propellant charge is loaded from the muzzle of the gun . This is distinct from the more popular modern designs of breech-loading firearms...
, high-angle-of-fire weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
used for close-in support of ground troops.
Description
The M224 system is composed of the- M225 Cannon (14.4 pounds (6.5 kg))
- M170 Bipod (15.2 pounds (6.9 kg))
- M7 Baseplate for use in conventional mode (14.4 pounds (6.5 kg)) or
- M8 baseplate for use in handheld mode (3.6 pounds (1.6 kg))
- and the M64A1 Sight Unit (2.5 pounds (1.1 kg))
The mount consists of a bipod and a base plate which is provided with screw type elevating and traversing mechanisms to elevate/traverse the mortar. The M64A1 sight unit is attached to the bipod mount. The mortar can be fired in the conventional mode or handheld mode. This smooth-bore system can be gravity-fired or fired by using a manual spring-loaded firing system.
It is typically fielded at the infantry company level
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
.
History
The M224 LWCMS (Lightweight Company Mortar System) replaces the older (WWIIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
) 60 mm M2 Mortar
M2 Mortar
The M2 Mortar is a smoothbore, muzzle loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used by U.S. forces in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War for light infantry support.-Description:...
and M19 Mortar
M19 Mortar
The M19 Mortar is a very light and simple smoothbore, muzzle loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon for light infantry support developed and produced in the United States....
. These weapons only had an effective range of 2,200 yards (2,000 m). While the M224 was designed to fire all types of the older ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
, its primary rounds are of the newer, longer-range type (up to 3,489 m).
In 2011 an improved version of the M224 was fielded, the M224A1. The M224A1 consists of the M225A1 tube, M170A1 bipod assembly, M7A1 baseplate, M8 auxiliary baseplate and the M67 sight unit. The weight of the mortar was lowered by 9.3 lb or 20 percent by reducing the number of components and by using lighter materials such as aluminium and Kevlar reinforced with composites. The US Army plans to replace all legacy M224s eventually with the new M224A1. At the same time, a lighter version of the M252 mortar
M252 Mortar
The M252 81 mm medium weight mortar is an American 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...
was developed.
Ammunition
The M224 Mortar can fire the following principal classifications of training and service ammunitionAmmunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
:
- High explosive (HE): Designations M888, M720, and M720A1. Used against personnel and light material targets.
- Smoke CartridgeSmoke bombA smoke bomb is a firework designed to produce smoke upon ignition. Smoke bombs are useful to military units, airsoft games, paintball games, self defense and pranks...
: Designation M722. Used as a screening, signaling, or marking munition. - Illumination (ILLUM): Used in night missions requiring illumination for assistance in observation.
- Training practice (TP): Designation M50A2/A3. Used for training in limited areas. These rounds are obsolete and not used anymore.
- InfraredInfraredInfrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
Illumination (IR): Produces illumination which is only visible through the use of night vision devices. - Full Range Practice Cartridges (FRPC): Designation M769. This round is used for practice or clearing misfires.
Fuses
The M224 rounds have two fuseFuse (explosives)
In an explosive, pyrotechnic device or military munition, a fuse is the part of the device that initiates function. In common usage, the word fuse is used indiscriminately...
types: The Multioption Fuze (M734
M734
The M734 Multi-Option Fuze shown in Figure 1 is a rangefinder and collision detection system used on 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar shells as a trigger to detonate the shells at the most damaging heights of burst when combating four types of battlefield threats:* The rangefinder electronics is a...
) and the Point-Detonating Fuze (M525). The M734
M734
The M734 Multi-Option Fuze shown in Figure 1 is a rangefinder and collision detection system used on 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar shells as a trigger to detonate the shells at the most damaging heights of burst when combating four types of battlefield threats:* The rangefinder electronics is a...
is used for the M720 HE round and can be set to function as proximity burst, near-surface burst, impact burst, or delay burst.
See also
- General articles:
- ArtilleryArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
- Military technology and equipment
- Mortar (weapon)Mortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
- Artillery
- Similar weapons:
- M252 81 mm Mortar
- Listings:
- List of artillery
- List of modern weapons
- List of crew served weapons of the US Armed Forces