Herald1234:
Actually the 5,900 meter range of the M252; 81mm mortar is a good working maximum engagement range. In the past approximately 98% of the engagements took place at ranges of 3,000 meters or less. With modern Fire Control Systems & Communication Nets available, the number of Extended Range engagements will probably increase.
To get an idea of engagement range needs/requirements, lets look at the problem from the point of view of the infantry we are supporting. Keep in mind this is "in the field", not on a Firing Range, & under the ‘stresses of combat’ which can reduce the ability of an individual to fire accurately. Also keep in mind "sight line" distances/times, for example in different terrain how far away can you see someone & how long will they be exposed before they can reach cover or concealment? Get in your car, drive around, stopping to take ‘looks’ around. Remember, 1/10 of a mile = 160.9 meters.
0-200 meters is Death Ground. Effective fire from Assault Rifles can be brought to bear on moving or partially exposed troops, with a good ‘hit’ probability. The same is true for Rifle Grenades, shoulder fired rockets/recoilless rifles (LAWs & RPGs). Belt feed Machine Guns & Automatic Grenade Launchers are vicious killers in this range band. The same is true for mount fired recoilless rifles.
200-500 meters is Danger Ground. The ‘hit’ probability for most shoulder fired weapon against moving or partially exposed troops drops dramatically, but is nothing that you’d want to casually stroll through. The exception is fire (very dangerous) from trained snipers, with ‘scoped’ rifles. The maximum range for Rifle Grenades falls in this range band. Fire from bipod mounted MG’s is very dangerous. Tripod mounted MG’s, AGL’s & RR’s are still vicious killers.
500-1,200 meters is Risky Ground. The ‘hit’ probability for most shoulder fired weapons is very low, even against fully exposed troops. Fire from trained snipers is still dangerous. Fire from tripod mounted MG’s, AGL’s & RR’s is still very effective/dangerous.
1,200-2,000 meters is Problematic Ground. MG fire is more Suppressive/Harassing fire than Killing fire. RR fire is reasonably accurate. Medium ranged ATGM’s may be used in the anti-personnel role (depends on availability & how ‘pressed’ the enemy feels).
You want to be able to kill Light Armored vehicles out to 3,000 meters.
R/S Jake
By Terry J Gander
Overlaps
Before leaving the calibre category topic, mention must be made of a trend that could remove the medium mortar from the state of numerical pre-eminence it currently assumes. It has already been mentioned that long-barrelled 60 mm mortars, such as the French TDA 60 mm long-range mortar, can deliver maximum ranges that overlap those of the heavier 81.4/82 mm mortars. When it is considered that the on-target performance of 60 mm high explosive bombs can be only slightly less than those for 81.4/82 mm bombs, especially in fragmentation terms, the differences between the two decrease. If 60 mm bombs are fitted with proximity fuzes their air bursts can effectively cover target areas comparable to those of larger calibre bombs. With such features now available the attractions of the medium mortar over those of the long-barrelled light start to diminish. They diminish even further when the weight and portability advantages of the lighter long-barrelled mortars are considered.
Some armies have already started to favour long-barrelled light mortars over conventional medium mortars, one being the South African National Defence Forces where 81 mm mortars are gradually being withdrawn in favour of 60 mm. However, it must be remembered that one of the most successful mortars of past decades has been the British 81.4 mm L16 series, still in production and in service with numerous armed forces, including the US Army. A mid-life improvement programme, including the introduction of longer-range ammunition, is scheduled for the L16 series and it remains available from BAE Systems, RO Defence.
DARPA's Optically Directed Attack Munition (ODAM) program is a technology development and integration initiative to demonstrate a laser-guided, low cost optical seeker for the 60mm mortar. The total value, if all phases of the development program are completed, will be approximately $9 million.
The systems will improve U.S. military effectiveness by providing small, operational units with cost-effective precision indirect munitions systems capable of operating across multiple environments.
Dr. Doug Kirkpatrick, DARPA program manager, said that ODAM represents "a break-through in affordable, precision-guided munitions."
"ODAM will provide a new capability for the war fighter based on low-cost, precision optical guidance of a munition that has never been able to operate with precision in the past," said Aaron Penkacik, vice president of Advanced Systems and Technology for BAE Systems.
The ODAM program will occur over 24 months and culminates in a live-fire demonstration and delivery of 1,000 live rounds for government test and evaluation.
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