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Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

2B14 Podnos

82mm Infantry Mortar [ 1985 ]

The 2B14 Podnos originated in the Soviet Union in the 1980s and still sees battlefield action today.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/15/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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The 2B14 "Podnos" is a Soviet-originated battlefield mortar of 82mm caliber. The system is of conventional design arrangement and function and has seen service since the 1980s. Design work was undertaken in 1983 with serial manufacturing had from the Nizni Novgorod Engineering Plant. The system has seen consistent action since introduction, fielded in such conflicts as the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989), the Syrian Civil War (2011-Present), and the Ukrainian-Russian War (2014-Present).

The mortar is made up of typical components as mortars go: the launch tube, the bipod support assembly, and recoil plate. The complete system tips the scales at 92.3 lb and requires a crew of four for optimal function. The launch tube is rated for 6lb High-Explosive (HE) projectiles of 82mm (3.2") caliber and a trained crew can let loose with 30 rounds-per-minute of in-direct fire. The mounting hardware allows for an elevation span of 45- to 85-degrees and inherent traversal of +/- 8-degrees. Anything more than this required complete relocation of the mortar system. Effective range is out to 2.65 miles.

The weapon can be transported by the available 2F510 series 2x1 wheeled assembly or by a dedicated prime mover vehicle such as the GAZ-66 series military 4x4 wheeled truck or similar wheeled or tracked solution.

Beyond its service with the Soviet Union, the mortar was purchased by the fighting forces of Georgia, Malaysia, Syria, and Ukraine and has also been seen in use with Lebanese militia elements. Unlike other Soviet weapons of the Cold War period, the 2B14 series did not go on to see widespread global acceptance. Former Soviet mortars were absorbed into the newly-established Russia Army after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and under 300 are believed to still be in active circulation with Russian forces while some 3,000 remain in storage (and assumed available if needed).

The Ukrainian Army has actively used its 2B14 systems against Russian troops and separatist supporters in its War in Donbas in the East of the country. Novorossiya rebels are known to have used these weapons against Ukrainian forces as well.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

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