The 81mm Mortar

Above: Winter 1999 Close up of the 81mm Mortar, notice that the circular base plate is almost completely buried in the mud.

The 81mm Mortar consists of 4 major parts: the tube, bipod, base plate, and sight unit. The Mortar can be man packed, and is operated and maintained by a 3 man crew. It has a maximum rate of fire of approximately 20 rounds per-minute, and can provide accurate indirect fire at a range of 5863 meters. It fires various types of High Explosive (HE), Smoke (SMK), and Illumination (ILLUM) rounds. HE rounds are designed to produce a fragmentation blast effect, with an approximate kill radius of 40 meters, and a danger radius of up to 190 meters. SMK rounds can produce smoke screens, as well as marking targets for other units and aircraft. SMK rounds can also start fires and produces limited casualties. ILLUM rounds are used to illuminate the battlefield and for signaling.

Above: Winter 1999 Mortar Live Fire, notice that the actual round can be seen exiting the mortar tube. The photo is blurred because of the concussion caused by the round.

Above: C70A1 HE Round, maximum effective range 4780 meters. This is the standard HE round used by the Canadian Forces. Notice that the charge increments are set to 4, and the yellow writing indicating that the round is live.