M252, 81mm Mortar

Medium Weight Extended Range Mortar [ 1987 ]

The M252, 81mm mortar replaced the aging M29 series of 81mm mortars in service with the US Army and USMC.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/19/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

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The smoothbore, muzzle-loading M252 medium weight mortar system offers up accurate long-range indirect fire support to American ground forces. It is an 81mm high-angle-of-fire system that is crew-served, entering US Army service in 1987. The American M252 is based on the standard British L16 81mm mortar.

The M252 consists of several key components making up the whole. These include the M253 Cannon (firing tube), the M177 Mortar Mount, the M3A1 Baseplate and the M64A1 Sight Unit. The M253 Cannon is 50 inches long and accepts a variety of munitions type for fire including high-explosive (HE), red phosphorous and smoke, illumination and other NATO-accepted rounds. The barrel is capped with the Blast Attenuation Device (BAD) for crew protection. Elevation is accomplished through the use of a screw-type elevation and traverse system. A crew of three is recommended for maximum firing efficiency.

The M252 has capable ranges of 83 meters minimum and 5,935 meters maximum. The entire unit weighs 91lbs. A maximum rate-of-fire of 30 rounds-per-minute is attainable for up to 2 minutes. Sustained firing falls between eight and sixteen rounds-per-minute. The M252 replaced the aged M29 81mm mortar and is in service with the United States Army and United States Marine Corps.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1987

Origin

United States

Classification

Medium Weight Extended Range Mortar

Watervliet Arsenals among others - USA

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Canada; Egypt; Estonia; Iraq; United Kingdom; United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Fire Support
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

Overall Length

1,270 mm
50.00 in

Barrel Length

838 mm
32.99 in

Empty Wgt

90.83 lb
41.20 kg

Sights

M64A1 Sight Unit

Action

Smooth Bore, Muzzle Loading, High-Angle-of-Fire Weapon

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

81mm

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of an infantry mortar projectile / shell

Rounds / Feed

1

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

18,618 ft
(5,675 m | 6,206 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

30
rds/min

M252, 81mm - Base Series Designation

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