M6 mortar

M6-895 60mm mortar
Type Light mortar
Place of origin  Austria
Service history
Used by  United Kingdom New Zealand Army
Wars Afghanistan
Production history
Designer Hirtenberger
Manufacturer Hirtenberger
Specifications
Weight Barrel 5.3 kilograms (12 lb)
Baseplate 4.8 kilograms (11 lb)
Bipod 12 kilograms (26 lb)
Length 977 millimetres (3 ft 2.5 in) overall
Crew 1
Caliber 60 millimetres (2.4 in)
Action Muzzle loading
Rate of fire 1-12 rpm sustained
Maximum firing range 3,800 metres (4,200 yd) (with bipod)
Feed system Manual
Sights Bubble sight

The M6 Mortar is a 60 mm lightweight infantry mortar made by Hirtenberger AG of Austria.

Models

The mortar is of traditional design with a smoothbore barrel, round baseplate (350 mm diameter), bipod and sight unit and is generally available in three different ballistical barrel lengths, which is usually stated in the model's name:

Maximum rate of fire with all models is 30 bombs per minute, when loaded by two people alternately, or 12 bombs per minute, when loaded by only one person. Naturally, the maximum ranges differ depending on the ballistic barrel length and the maximal allowed charges.

For all three ballistic barrel lengths a conversion kit is available to fire the mortar in a handheld mode (without bipod and sight) as a commando mortar. The conversion kit contains a small round basepiece, an alternate, slightly bigger rectangular basepiece for soft ground, a carrying belt, an aiming device to set the firing range and a handgrip with a trigger, which has a safety device, so that the commando mortar may be carried with a bomb inside the barrel. Commando versions are called M6C and are portable by one person. With these versions, the operation is restricted to a maximum operating gas pressure of 300 bar. This limits the mortars to using charge 3 as a maximum; however, it is recommended not to go above charge 2 due to precision (therefore the aiming device is for charge 0, charge 1 and charge 2 only).

A modified version for Special Forces is also produced. This version is equipped with a recoil absorbing damping system between the bipod and the barrel. Special Forces versions are called M6H.

Hirtenberger also produces mortar bombs for these mortars. Available Ammunition:

All ranges stated below are measured with Hirtenbergen 60 mm HE Mk2, but all types of 60 mm mortar bombs may be fired from the mortars.

M6C-210T

see main article Hirtenberger M6C-210

M6C-640T

Technical Data:

M6(H)-640

Firing with the 640 mm barrel is limited to a maximum operating gas pressure of 550 bar, thus limiting the use to charge 5. The British Army dismounted platoons currently have a M6-640 as part of their weaponry. This however is being reviewed.[1]

Technical Data:

M6(H)-895

The Hirtenberger M6-895 60 mm mortar was procured as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) for the British Army. It can be fired in both the direct-lay and indirect fire role at a rate of 1–12 rounds a minute and can be operated in the hand held mode.[2] The mortar replaced the L9A1 51 mm Light Mortar due to greater availability of ammunition suppliers for the 60 mm calibre.

After the Afghanistan operations, only the Royal Marines Commandos and Parachute Regiment units will use these mortars. The rest will be stored away for economic reasons.[3]

Technical Data:

M6(H)-1000

Technical Data:

References

  1. ↑ http://www.janes.com/article/58800/british-army-to-review-use-of-belt-fed-weapons-and-light-mortars
  2. ↑ "British Army Vehicles and Equipment" (PDF). Defence Public Relations (ARMY). p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 19, 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2011. The Hirtenberger M6-895 60 mm Mortar was procured as an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) and is currently in service in Afghanistan as a light capability with the Mortar Platoon. I
  3. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20131108074457/http://www.janes.com/article/29502/british-army-infantry-to-revert-to-81-mm-mortar
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