Army Vision: By 2028, a World-Class Army that is a source of National Pride

HEADQUARTERS
ARESCOM TRAINING SCHOOL
ARMY RESERVE COMMAND, PHILIPPINE ARMY
Camp Riego De Dios, Tanza, Cavite

ATS/3 Date Updated: 01 Aug 2020

STUDENT HANDOUTS References: Special Text

81MM AND 60MM MORTAR

I. DESCRIPTION/NOMENCLATURE:

1. 81mm Mortar

a. Are organic indirect fire support assets in the infantry battalion.

b. Effective against lightly protected personnel, for obscuration,

illumination, destruction, neutralization, suppression & close in defensive fires.

c. Characteristics:

1) Light weight
2) High angle
3) Smooth bore
4) Muzzle loaded
5) Air cooled
6) Crew served weapon

d. General Data:

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Weight

1) Mortar complete - 125 lbs

2) Barrel - 28 lbs
3) Bipod/Mount - 40 lbs
4) Baseplate - 48 lbs
5) Sight M53 - 9 lbs

e. Capabilities:

Weapon Ammo Min Range Max Range Rate of Fire

HE 73M 4790M
81MM 25 RPM/2 MIN
WP 73M 595M
M29A1 8 RPM SUST
ILA 100M 950M
HE 80M 5800M
81MM WP 73M 4595M 30 RPM/2 MIN
M252 ILA 300M 5060M 15 RPM SUST
RP 300M 4800M

2. 60mm Mortar M224

a. Capabilities:

Weapon Ammo Min Range Max Range Rate of Fire

HE 70M 3500M
60MM 30 RPM/4 MIN
WP 70M 3500M
M224 20 RPM SUST
ILA 200M 3500M
HE 770M 5060M 18 RPM/1 MIN
107MM
WP 770M 4800M 9 RPM/5 MIN
M30
ILA 440M 6840M 3 RPM SUST
HE 200M 7200M
120MM 15 RPM/1 MIN
WP 200M 7200M
M120 4 RPM SUST
ILA 200M 7200M

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b. Advantage

1) Most responsive fire support assets

2) Ideal for attacking targets on reverse slopes
3) High rate of fire
4) All weather, day or night
5) Emplaced anywhere

c. Disadvantage

1) Easily detected by radar

2) Not precise
3) Carry limited amount of ammunition

II. PHILIPPNE ARMY MORTAR ORGANIZATION:

Light Infantry Battalion 4x81mm

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 Army Vision: By 2028, a World-Class Army that is a source of National Pride

III. ORGANIZATION:

1. 60mm Mortar Section

2. Primary role of the mortars is to provide immediately available,

responsive indirect fires that support the maneuver company or battalion, and that
reinforce direct fires during close combat.

a. Mortars provide maneuver commanders with:

1) Responsive, organic indirect fire support.

2) Higher rate of fire than FA units.
3) A solid base of fire which to anchor his maneuver to the
critical point of enemy weakness.

b. In the offense:

1) Establish the conditions for maneuver.

2) Suppress and fix the enemy.
3) Provide close support fires during the assault.

c. In the defense:

1) Force enemy armored columns to button up.

2) Break up enemy concentrations/formations.
3) Reduce enemy mobility and canalize into engagement
areas.
4) Deny enemy of defilade terrain.
5) Destroy synchronization.
6) Protect friendly infantry against dismounted attack.

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 Army Vision: By 2028, a World-Class Army that is a source of National Pride

IV. MORTAR EMPLOYMENT IN THE OFFENSE:

1. Maintain 1/3 to 1/2 max ranges in front of lead element.

2. Maintain flexibility and rapid response.
3. Where to target: LD, Enroute, On the Objective, and Beyond the
Objective.
4. Crews must be trained in hip shoot, direct fires, and reaction crew
drills.

Mortars can accomplish:

1. Preparation Fires.
2. Obscure/Screen.
3. Illum/Mark for Close Air Support (CAS).
4. Disrupt/Delay Counterattacking forces.
5. Suppress in route to the objective.

V. MORTAR EMPLOYMENT IN THE DEFENSE:

1. Maintain 1/3 to 1/2 max range in front of lead element.

2. Maintain flexibility and rapid response.
3. Support: Security Zone, Main Battle Area, and Rear Area.

Mortars can accomplish:

1. Deceive or divert enemy attention.

2. Screen friendly maneuver.
3. Obscure enemy observation and fires.
4. Neutralize, suppress, or destroy enemy forces.
5. Fix the enemy in position for a counterattack.
6. Deprive the enemy of the use of defilade or decisive terrain.
7. Illuminate the battlefield for more effective friendly fires.
8. Harass the enemy and interdict his massing of assault forces.

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Army Vision: By 2028, a World-Class Army that is a source of National Pride

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