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M6 mortar

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Light mortar
M6-895 60mm mortar
Dutch Marines fire using the M6 mortar in handheld mode.
TypeLight mortar
Place of originAustria
Service history
Used bySee M6 mortar#Users
WarsWar in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Production history
DesignerHirtenberger
ManufacturerHirtenberger
Specifications
MassBarrel 5.3 kilograms (12 lb)
Baseplate 4.8 kilograms (11 lb)
Bipod 12 kilograms (26 lb)
Length977 millimetres (3 ft 2.5 in) overall
Crew1
Caliber60 millimetres (2.4 in)
ActionMuzzle loading
Rate of fire1-12 rpm sustained
Maximum firing range3,800 metres (4,200 yd) (with bipod)
Feed systemManual
SightsBubble 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:

  • 640 mm
  • 895 mm
  • 1000 mm

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:

  • HE Mk2, high explosive bomb, filled with TNT
  • TP-TM Mk2, inert bomb for training purposes, impact signature with life fuze
  • SMK-WP Mk2, smoke Bomb, filled with White Phosphorus (fast smoke generation)
  • SMK-RP Mk2, smoke bomb, filled with Red Phosphorus (slow smoke generation)
  • ILL-VIS Mk2, visible spectrum illumination bomb, 350.000 candela for 35 seconds
  • ILL-IR Mk2, infrared spectrum illumination bomb, 35 seconds duration

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:

  • Overall length: 825 mm
  • Weight: 6.2 kg
  • Weight with backpack (2.2 kg) and bag for auxiliaries (2.8 kg): 11.2 kg
  • Maximum range with charge 2: 1,384 m
  • Maximum range with charge 3: 1,921 m

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.

Technical Data:

  • Bipod weight: 9.3 kg (H: 12.5 kg)
  • Baseplate weight: 4.8 kg (H: 4.7 kg)
  • Barrel weight: 4.5 kg (H: 4.6 kg)
  • Total weight: 18.6 kg (H: 21.8 kg)
  • Barrel length: 722 mm (H: 729 mm)
  • Maximum range with charge 0: 464 m
  • Maximum range with charge 2: 1,384 m
  • Maximum range with charge 3: 1,921 m
  • Maximum range with charge 5: 2,872 m

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. The mortar replaced the L9A1 51 mm Light Mortar due to greater availability of ammunition suppliers for the 60 mm calibre.

In 2016 it was announced that only the Royal Marines Commandos and Parachute Regiment units will use these mortars after the Afghanistan operations. The rest will be stored away for economic reasons.

Technical Data:

  • Bipod weight: 9.3 kg (H: 12.5 kg)
  • Baseplate weight: 4.8 kg (H: 4.7 kg)
  • Barrel weight: 5.4 kg (H: 5.5 kg)
  • Total weight: 19.5 kg (H: 22.7 kg)
  • Barrel length: 977 mm (H: 984 mm)
  • Maximum range with charge 0: 561 m
  • Maximum range with charge 2: 1,524 m
  • Maximum range with charge 3: 2,100 m
  • Maximum range with charge 5: 3,154 m
  • Maximum range with charge 6: 3,610 m
  • Maximum operating gas pressure: 650 bar

M6(H)-1000

Technical Data:

  • Bipod weight: 9.3 kg (H: 12.5 kg)
  • Baseplate weight: 4.8 kg (H: 4.7 kg)
  • Barrel weight: 5.8 kg (H: 5.9 kg)
  • Total weight: 19.9 kg (H: 23.1 kg)
  • Barrel length: 1082 mm (H: 1089 mm)
  • Maximum range with charge 0: 579 m
  • Maximum range with charge 2: 1,710 m
  • Maximum range with charge 3: 2,401 m
  • Maximum range with charge 5: 3,365 m
  • Maximum range with charge 6: 3,933 m
  • Maximum operating gas pressure: 650 bar

Users

See also

References

  1. "Hirtenberger M6C (Commando)". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  2. "60 mm M60CMA - Arsenal JSCo. - Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878". www.arsenal-bg.com. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  3. Andrew Galer, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly (2016-03-16). "British Army to review use of belt-fed weapons and light mortars | IHS Jane's 360". Janes.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  4. "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
  5. "British Army infantry to revert to 81 mm mortar - IHS Jane's 360". 2013-11-04. Archived from the original on 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2016-12-31.

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