Mortar
Mortier de 81mm léger long renforcé |
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Mo 81 LLR of the French Army 1st Infantry Regiment during Exercise Cold Response (Norway, 2022) |
Type | Mortar |
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Place of origin | France |
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Used by | See users |
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Wars | |
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Designed | 1997 |
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Produced | 1997 - present |
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Mass | 45.2 kg (100 lb) (total) 18.3 kg (40 lb) (barrel) 12.6 kg (28 lb) (bipod) 14.6 kg (32 lb) (base) |
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Barrel length | 1,639 mm (5 ft 4.5 in) |
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Crew | 5 men |
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Calibre | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
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Rate of fire | 12 to 20 rpm. |
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Effective firing range | 3,100 m (3,400 yd) with model 1944 shell.
5,600 m (6,100 yd) with special ammunition. |
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The Mortier de 81mm léger long renforcé (LLR 81 mm) is a mortar used by the French Army, manufactured by Thales. Introduced in 1997, it is the latest iteration of the TDA 81 mm light mortar family.[2]
Description
The original TDA 81 mm was designed in 1961 (hence the MO-81-61 designation). Since then, three variants have been fielded:
- the 81mm LC or MO-81-61-C (Léger court, "light short"), with a 1.15-metre barrel;
- the 81mm LL or MO-81-61-L (Léger long, "light long"), with a 1.55-metre barrel;
- the 81mm LLR (Léger long renforcé, "light long reinforced"), paratrooper version with a 1.55-metre barrel.[2]
The LLR 81mm is composed of a base plate, a barrel comprising the breech, and a bipod. It can use the same pointing optics as the MO-120-RT-61.[3]
The LLR 81mm can be parachuted either piece by piece, in a kit comprising a dismantled weapon and ammunition, or in larger crates comprising several weapons. The barrel was reinforced so as to allow firing of all existing 81 mm mortar ammunition.[3]
Users
External links
Bibliography