A mortar is an artillery weapon which fires explosive shells. The shells are known as (mortar) bombs. They are fired at targets which are close, as mortars do not have long range. It has a short barrel which fires the mortar bomb at a low speed high into the air to reach its target. They have been used since medieval times. Mortars are made in different sizes, from large and heavy mortars to infantry mortars which can be carried by just one soldier. They are called an indirect fire weapon because the bomb drops onto the target from above, rather than being aimed straight at it. Soldiers firing a mortar do not need to be able to see their target.
Design
Most mortars used today are made up of a barrel, a plate for the barrel to stand on, and a bipod.
Mortars are mainly medium calibre weapons. However, mortars both bigger and smaller than this have been made. An example of a smaller mortar is the British 51 mm Light Mortar. The 51 mm is carried by just one soldier. It is made up of only a tube and a base plate. A bigger example is the Soviet 2S4 M1975 Tyulpan (tulip flower) 240 mm self-propelled mortar.
Mortars are not very stable if they are used on snow or soft ground. This is because the recoil pushes them into the ground. The Raschen Bag can be used to avoid this problem.
Ammunition
The ammunition fired by mortars are properly called “bombs”. One possible reason for this is that the fins that stabilise the round when it is flying, and the shape of the round makes it look like a bomb dropped from aircraft.
Mortars can fire many different bombs. Some of these are:
High explosive. This is a normal round which explodes when it hits the ground.
Smoke round. This creates thick smoke, it can be various colours. It is fired on enemy positions or in open areas to block visibility, so friendly forces can move without being visible.
White phosphorus. This makes a thick smoke screen to blind and burn the enemy, causing second and third degree burns from the explosion.
Illumination round. This is a flare which hangs underneath a parachute. It lights up the battlefield at night.
